What did you eat/drink today?

For breakfast I had what I usually have – apple juice and then porridge with the addition of dried apricots, dates, cranberries, walnuts and yoghurt and just a dash of milk. When I was a child we had to make it in a pan on top of the cooker; it took ages to cook and you had to keep stirring – I used to like it with golden syrup just swirled on the top. These days I cook it in the microwave and it takes 2 ½ minutes. For lunch I had homemade leek and potato soup and homemade bread, with a glass of water. For dinner tonight we’ll have ‘Wok-It Chicken’ -left over chicken, with stirred fried vegetables and egg noodles.

Also this afternoon in a throw-back to the 1970s we’re going to have a slice of black forest gateau with a cup of tea.

What do you never eat/drink?

I eat most food, but not things that my dad used to like, such as tripe, pigs trotters, brains and rollmop herrings. Mum used to cook these for him regularly but I would never eat any of it. I don’t like tinned tuna, fresh is nice, but tinned is just like cardboard. I’m not too keen on red meat, although I do like roast beef and I will eat beef casserole. These days I eat very little lamb and hardly any pork. I never drink whisky, I can’t stand the stuff.

Favourite failsafe thing to cook (if you cook) or defrost if you don’t

Spaghetti Bolognese, lasagne, steak and mushroom pie or fish pie.

Complete this sentence: In my refrigerator, you can always find

Milk, yoghurt which I make in a yoghurt maker about twice a week, fruit juice, eggs, cheese, carrots, peppers, and broccoli. There are usually some cans of lager (not for me!) and sometimes a bottle of white wine (yes, for me).

What is your favourite kitchen item?

I like my hand-held blender, which is indispensable for making soup. It”s great for pureeing food, whisking up batter for Yorkshire puddings and whipping cream etc, so much easier than a food processor and easier to wash as well.

Where would you recommend eating out – either on home turf or elsewhere?

I think one of the best meals I’ve eaten was in The Fleur De Lys restaurant at the Savoy Hotel in Funchal, Madeira, but it’s a bit far to go!

The world ends tomorrow. What would you like for your last meal?

That’s like asking what book, apart from the Bible and Sakespeare, would I take on a desert island – there are so many to choose from and food is nearly as bad (I mean good!). I love all kinds of pasta, penne in particular, so maybe it would be penne with chicken and arrabiatta sauce, or grilled trout, new potatoes with broccoli, followed by creme brulee, or anything made with chocolate.

Time for tea and gateau now.