NEWS FLASH

Aside.

During the last week I have discovered Nigel Slater whose autobiography ‘Toast’ tells how his mother died of asthma when he was aged nine. He then had a loveless childhood with a strict father and a step-mother. He was hungry for food and love and discovered the comfort of preparing and eating food. Born in Wolverhampton he is now one of the best loved of food writers.

Matthew Ford wrote ’Every episode is keyed to a precise sensory memory; every reference comes with a Proustian resonance.’

I happened on a TV programme ‘A Taste of my Life’ which he is presenting on BBC2 6.30pm till 7pm where he chats to various actors about their own culinary memories. I have a mild aversion to TV chefs but warm to him and find the programme as restful and soothing as four squares of dark chocolate. I told my husband he reminded me of the young Alan Bennett and lo and behold Alan is tonight’s guest. Give it a whirl if you can get BBC2