Mary: I’ve never eaten a takeaway meal
MARY Berry says she has never had a takeaway – and is furious at our “order in and eat out” habits.
The former Great British Bake Off judge is on a quest to get more people making their own meals.
The 84-year-old television presenter said she simply does not see the need to buy in fast food meals.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the new series of BBC1’s Best Home Cook, the food writer said: “I have never had a takeaway. Why should I?
“We want to get people cooking at home, because we are a nation that orders in and eats out.
“I can muster up things very quickly and there are so many things that you can buy to help you if you are busy and which don’t cost that much extra, like grated cheese.
“And if you are in a hurry you can pay a little bit more for it and get your food on to the table even quicker.”
In an interview with My Weekly magazine, alongside her Best Home Cook co-host Claudia Winkleman, Mary admitted that, despite not ordering takeaways, she did use the odd shortcut when cooking – often using dried pasta, rather than fresh.
Claudia and Mary have presented the programme, described as a cross between MasterChef and Bake Off, since 2018.
Chef Angela Hartnett and produce expert Chris Bavin are also on the team.
Strictly Come Dancing host, Claudia, 48, added: “I love straightforward – lots of chicken and stuff I can throw in a pan.
Lovely
“And I do a mean chilli con carne.When I fell in love with my husband a million years ago, I knew he loved it, so I learned how to make it for him.”
Despite currently being two of the BBC’s best paid stars, both women still believe they have been incredibly lucky to get where they are.
Claudia said: “I don’t take anything for granted. I’ve already had a long run, let’s be honest.
“I just assume they’ll fire me any minute.”
Mary agreed, saying: “It’s lovely when people call me a national treasure, and it makes me feel as if I’m doing the job properly… I hope I am.
“But really, the biggest compliment for me is when I’m in the supermarket and someone says, ‘I make your lemon drizzle cake and I love it’.”