FOOD

BBC1, 8.30pm

She is sophisticated and classy, yet not above licking a spoon. She also doesn’t mind if we cheat a bit. “Life is too short to make your own puff pastry,” Mary declares. Hear, hear!

And upon meeting a Swedish chef, she smirks: “I quite like cooking with a caveman.”

This is why we love her so much. The 82-year-old even breaks into a long-remembered Girl Guides’ chant at one point. Fanny Cradock would never have done that.

Celebrating home comfort dishes, Mary talks us through some mouthwatering classics. Eggs Benedict Florentine (why have bacon or spinach when you can have both?) and some chocolate truffle pots to die for.

Of course, you will hang on her every word. If she praises a gadget, we’ll run out and buy it. If she tells us prawn cocktail is back in fashion (she did), then we’ll eat it. A glorious, fuss-free foodie show.

AS YOU’LL LIKE IT Lu and Mark