BARB, FOOD DIRECTOR

Tea or coffee? Always coffee! I look forward to that first mug in the morning … long and black.

Wine or a cocktail? I’m a wine drinker – really anytime, day or night! What’s your most requested meal at home from friends and family? Chicken Parma. I prepare it in a large ovenproof dish the day before and refrigerate it. It’s then ready to pop into the oven when required. Dessert is always a cheesecake or pavlova. Biggest cooking disaster

you’ve ever had? When I was younger I had a dinner party and made a large Potato Bake. I followed the recipe to the letter but didn’t check to see if the potatoes were tender. Needless to say, they were inedible as they were still hard as a rock. What’s the one food you can never say no to? Cheese! It’s my favourite go-to food. I always have a variety in the fridge from an aged cheddar and creamy brie to a crumbly blue. Yum. What’s the first dish you remember cooking? Fairy cakes with my mum. Tell us something about Mel or Pam that no-one knows … Hahaha … Mel has naturally curly hair, but has it chemically straightened (I’ve never seen her with curly hair!) and Pam finds eating chocolate irresistible, especially in the afternoons. Is there a cheat dish you swear by? My Asian Soup is the perfect Sunday night supper. Combine a sachet of Asian chicken soup hot pot with 1½ litres of water in a large pan. Bring to boil, throw in a packet of frozen prawn dumplings and 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables. It’s ready in 10 minutes. And finally, what’s your favourite recipe of all time? I have made this one more times that I can remember, our Blueberry Cheesecake topped with a blueberry sauce is an absolute taste sensation!