Quotes

I was quite shy. I found my way, I suppose, with food. It's a confidence builder. How else in life do you get that opportunity for someone to say to you, 'Wow, that's really great'? You put food in front of someone and, 'Ahhh, I really enjoyed that!' It's a lift.

I grew up not being intimidated by the kitchen.

The kitchen is the place you feel relaxed.

I don't just loving cooking in a vacuum, as it were; I love cooking for people, with people, and laughing.

When I worked as a chef I had a happy brigade. I didn't run it with a rod of iron because I didn't need to me. I honestly believe that relaxed happy staff will be reflected in the food.

People are frightened of the unknown.

My children are enthusiastic about food, it's great when you see them with girlfriends or boyfriends and they talk about food in a knowledgable way.

One of the nicest things about taking your kids to a restaurant - Thai or Chinese for example - is having all the dishes in the middle of the table so that you can try a little bit of everything.

Cooking is about love, really, and cooking for your children is all about caring for them, building relationships.

In our house caring about food is pretty instinctive.

Think about your first kiss - if you did it and it was bloody awful, you might not do it again. It's the same with cooking - you start off gradually, you get your confidence, and you build on that. Don't be too adventurous to start with - learn how to cook one dish well.

Every cookbook can be a bit patronising.

People who drop litter really stress me out. I have been known to chase after people and say, 'Sorry, but you've forgotten something,' and then hand it back to them.

I think everyone knows that I'm the type of person who can have a good time without drinking.

I used to take vitamins, but I think diet is the most important thing. If you have a good diet, there's no need for that stuff.

I think what balances me out more than anything is long walks and eating well.

When you're at the top you have to know how to delegate without putting the fear of God into people.

You've got be a good communicator in almost any job nowadays - but if you're enthusiastic and committed in your job, good things will come your way.

I used to quite like the idea of zooming in and out of traffic quite quickly, but when you get a decent car and kids in the back, you become more courteous.

I haven't got tinted windows. I get the odd 'Oi, Ains' and 'What's he like,' or 'I do enjoy your programmes,' depending on where you are. That's quite nice.

We were lucky as kids - whenever we came home from school, Mum was there.

My dad was a great eater but Mum was the cook.

Mum and Dad used to do a lot of entertaining. We had quite a nice house, so everybody descended on us at Christmas - aunts and uncles, who weren't even aunts and uncles.

In my 20s, I was body surfing in Spain and the current dragged me out. I was waving at my friends who thought I was messing about, but I was drowning. I managed to swim in on my back but it scarred me.

I've lost both my parents and I don't think you ever get used to it.