One of the UK's best-loved chefs, Antony Worrall Thompson has teamed up with his friend Melinda Messenger, to produce a new recipe book, The Sweet Life
Since being diagnosed with Syndrome X, a condition that is linked to diabetes, Antony has to be careful about his diet, but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy food. And by using a sugar substitute, he can still enjoy the sweet stuff without wrecking his blood sugar levels.
Antony Worrall Thompson started cooking simply because he wanted to eat. He realised he would have to look after himself after one au pair served him a raw bacon sandwich. But she wasn't alone in her culinary wilderness, he explained. No one in the house could cook, so if he wanted to eat good food, he was going to have to learn to cook for himself.
For a chef, Antony has a refreshing attitude to food. He stresses the importance of fresh, seasonal produce, cooked simply, and he lives by the principles. He grows his own vegetables and rears pigs but he also recognises the importance of enjoying food as a social occasion.
'Conversations flow with food,' he says. 'I learn more about the children's day when we sit down and eat together than I ever would just asking them when they get home from school.' And he believes in a good roast dinner on a Sunday to help keep families together.
His top piece of advice would be, rather unsurprisingly, to learn to cook and he encourages his children to make things themselves. 'We started with the butterscotch Angel Delight, and have progressed from there,' he explains.
This doesn't sound like the kind of product you'd expect to find in a chef's kitchen but then, when discussing his regular menu plan, it didn't sound intimidating or unlike what you might make at home. Asian influences abound, with noodle broths and stir-fried veggies.
Having worked in, and run, several top restaurants, he's tried different food styles (remember nouvelle cuisine?), but he's honed his art and firmly believes in the importance of a broad diet. 'Everything in moderation is fine, although I do avoid processed foods and too many carbohydrates.'
And he admits to using books. Drawing from his vast library of around 6,000 recipe books (including 1,000 antique ones) he's quick to point out there's nothing new with his approach. So, what can you expect to find in the new book? Tasty and delicious sounding recipes that won't pile on the calories or break your diet.
There are sections for chocolate lovers and great family favourites that will tempt just about everyone. He's even roped in friends to give recipes. Melinda Messenger has contributed eight of her favourite recipes including bakewell tarts and carrot cake muffins.
It all goes to show that you can enjoy an occasional sweet treat while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Sounds like a plan for all of us!
Staggering sugar statistics
- Although there are different types of sugar - caster, granulated, Demerara and icing - they all provide exactly the same amount of energy - 394 kcal/100g.
- Each one per cent drop in sugar consumption (as a proportion of an individual's calorie intake) would prevent 750 obesity-related deaths.