Is Heston using the right public image for his restaurant empire? Why did I start working with the fine food industry a couple of months ago? It’s because I hate Heston Blumenthal, that’s why.   more

How to choose the perfect sausage. Obviously the outdoor taste of barbecued sizzling sausages is simply marvellous, especially sandwiched between some bread with fried onions, a good quality mustard or some tomato ketchup.   more

Why I love pigs. Pigs are omnivores, they eat just about anything from plants to small animals. They have been kept by man for thousands of years, prized for their ability to thrive where other animals starved, and unlike many other farm animals almost the whole of their body is edible.   more

Ice cream still feels like a treat, something we'll never grow out of. Ice cream evokes so many memories of childhood, something that was a real treat on a hot summer's day out, or even to be taken when you were ill, because you couldn't manage to eat anything else.   more

In praise of the perfect pie. The best pies have that satisfying melt in the mouth, should be crisp on the outside and softer on the inside but not soggy, with a beautiful golden colour that is nowhere near burnt. It should envelope the right amount of meaty jelly and a chunky pork filling lightly seasoned.  more

Why Lancashire is the best place for cheese. One of the things I love most about cheese is its tradition and history, and the fact that someone has taken months and sometimes even years making it for me. To store it I need to keep it chilled and moist, and to eat it I need do nothing more than slowly bring it to room temperature - real convenience food.   more

Why do people buy rubbish fruit out of season? It irritates me so much that we have some fabulous, traditional fruits, and yet when the appropriate season arrives, the supermarkets are full of products from countries as far away as New Zealand and South Africa.   more