Getting To Know… Mary Berry
Everybody’s favourite queen of baking loves fresh garden produce, and a traditional roast dinner
◆ Cornwall is such a special place. I always want to go back there. I used to go there with the children when they were young. We’d have picnics on the beach and I can remember buying lobsters from a little stall that was in a shed by the beach then, to show our children what a lobster was. I’ve had great fun there.
◆ My husband Paul and I grow much of what we eat and so I’m always using fresh produce from the garden. If there is a glut of fruit, then a classic crumble immediately comes to mind or when rhubarb is in season, I’ll make a rhubarb and ginger chilled cheesecake.
◆ Paul is wonderful. He is always there for me. But him do the cooking? You must be joking! I do the cooking at home and on the rare occasion I am not well, he will always make an omelette. And after two or three omelettes, I am normally better!
◆ At Easter, I pick some branches and hang little eggs and chickens from them. We always get together for Easter Sunday. My big tip is it is all about planning ahead. It’s a different roast to Christmas. I like to serve slow cooked lamb, as my family love it and it is a tradition for us. It is delicious.
◆ A small slice of cake is a wonderful treat. I eat very little sugar myself except when it is in a cake or fruit bar. We also have lots of fruit in the house.