Getting To Know… Rosemary Shrager
Rosemary loved the jungle, but the kitchen is her natural habitat, and now she's back with a new cookery show
◆ You can’t compare the Big Family Cooking Showdown to any other show because it’s so different. Families cook together in their own homes. I’ve loved doing it because my big passion in life is to encourage children and their parents to cook together. I can’t tell you how pleased I would be if this show does inspire more people. What an accolade!
◆ I am very honest with the contestants. You can’t mollycoddle and say "that’s a nice dish" when it isn’t. But you also have to be careful as children are cooking and you don’t want them to never cook again!
◆ Outside of TV, I love spending time with my four grandchildren. We do cook together but I love that. Family cooking and conversations – per fect.
◆ I’ve never grown up properly! I take the mickey out of myself but I am not ashamed to. Get me in work mode, however, and I am very serious.
◆ My signature dish is chicken and potato pie. The family adore it and I am a great believer that you do have to be economical when you cook.
◆ The Michelin chef Pierre Koffmann has been hugely inspirational in my life. He’s such a special person and I’ve learned so much. We are great friends.
◆ I’ve got a strong work ethic. I still work seven days a week. But I don’t think I’ve done too badly. I still pinch myself every day!
◆ THE BIGF AMILY COOKING SHOWDOWN AIRS EVERY WEEK ON BBC2. A BOOK ACCOMPANYING THE SERIES IS AVAILABLE IN THE SHOPS NOW, PRICED £20.