One of the most unlikely stars of a television cookery series, Jennifer Paterson has taken the food world by storm, roaring round the countryside on her motorbike, and cooking no-nonsense recipes with wit and gusto. Her evident pleasure in cooking, eating and life itself and her slightly batty manner have endeared her to millions.
Once the "Spectator's" resident cook - and sacked after throwing crockery out of the window - she has gathered recipes from her weekly column and presents them in seasonal chapters with amusing introductions, through which her unmistakable voice comes loud and clear. Not for her the miseries of politically correct food fads; she revels in such dishes as hearty Scottish "Nettle Pudding", startling "Ruby Red Risotto" (made using beetroot) and "Maccheroncini with Mussels". Her recipes are an electric mix garnered over many years from foodie friends' dinner tables, badgered chefs or an unusual ingredient that particularly inspired her.
