“I never worry about diets, the only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.” Wise words Mae, wise words. I often get a craving for Mae’s salad on a Saturday, I have no idea why. I love all of the ingredients in this salad (I’m a big fan of “chicken...

I was craving Mae’s salad for lunch when I was at the supermarket today so I tried to remember what was in it on the hoof.  So this is basically Mae’s recipe with the addition of a few things I had knocking around the fridge – lettuce, rocket, some beetroot and a few cubes of...

Ooh Mae, I think it was having some of your Salada for lunch that made me break all the rules and go out with a fella last night. What happened to my giving up men for Lent pledge?! Ha ha! Mae would have been proud of me. I sat in an enormous fibre glass throne...

Fortified by some of Mae West’s salad I made a big dent in the copyright clearance task last night. I’m having to approach all the copyright holders for these recipes (where known) and possibly the stars’ estates too. I am quite looking forward to corresponding with relatives of Mae, Joan, Bette and the like. Could...

Oh how I LOVE those Audio Gold boys. They are so kind to me. They found me some speakers and a GORGEOUS Ferrograph amp (who knew I’d need one of those too?) They fiddled around with the amp, cleaning all the connections, showing me the splendour of the inside with all its lovingly hand crafted...

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American readers (and everyone in fact). Today I am giving thanks for the fact that tonight I have my first proper date in approximately three years. And I’m also giving thanks for all the wonderful people who are test cooking these recipes for us. Today I received FANTASTIC pictures from...

Just about to jump on a plane with Rosalind for our annual “romantic mini-break”. Boys never take us on one so we take ourselves once a year. We have done Wareham, France, Stroud, Berlin, Copenhagen and this year it is BUDAPEST. So I am handing over the blog todat to a guest blogger. The lovely...

Much good humoured hilarity this week when Nazimova brought in the “Pumpkin Pie a la Robert” she had made from this month’s special recipe. Naz is from Belgrade and had sent me an email saying that she’d never had Pumpkin Pie so had no idea what it should look or taste like. Unfortunately she missed...

I trust you are signed up to our mailing list? If so you’ll have received Mae’s Pumpkin Pie recipe today. There is a very special prize on the table for all of our test cooks this month – a chance to come to my house for dinner! I will be making the legendary Joan Crawford...

“Cultivate your curves…” Sure thing Mae, I will! Doesn’t Salada de Tuna sound much more fun than Tuna Salad? I was rustling some up in the kitchen just now when I heard a really, really loud plane fly past. This sometimes gives me the heeby jeebies, being so close to Centre Point – a very...