MY FAVOURITE THINGS

THE LAST GREAT BOOK I READ…

Actress by Anne Enright. The minute I finished it, I couldn’t wait to read it again.

THE PODCAST I LOVED…

I listen to The Bunker quite a bit. It’s political talk, but very witty.

MY ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD…

Bread and butter. Or anything that’s a carb. During the first month of lockdown, I’d have a baked potato for lunch, then a sandwich, then pasta in the evening. And I thought, ‘I’m not fighting it; this is how it’s meant to be.’

MY SIGNATURE PARTY DISH…

Slow-cooked peas with mint, tarragon and thyme. It’s not a glamorous dish (the peas turn a khaki grey colour), but it tastes so good.

MY MOST TREASURED POSSESSION…

When I was 30, I bought three aluminium canisters in Paris and they’ve been in every kitchen I’ve had since. I also still have my sister’s wooden spoons, which are probably a health hazard now, as they have big splits in them!

MY ULTIMATE POWER WOMAN…

Gail Rebuck, the former CEO of Penguin Random House. I asked her to mentor me once because I found it difficult to be assertive in certain settings. She’s incredibly at ease with her authority, not apologetic for it, but not aggressive with it either.

MY FAVOURITE HOUSEHOLD TASK…

I like having a shimmy around with the vacuum. I’ll suddenly spring into action, then I become so obsessive that I can’t stop!

THE BEAUTY PRODUCT I SWEAR BY…

Garden of Wisdom Prickly Pear Seed Oil. I get it from Victoria Health (victoriahealth.com).