She comes from good creative stock. Grandfather Roald Dahl’s books sit on the bookshelves of hundreds of thousands of homes. Grandmother Patricia Neal was an actress, best known for her role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Sophie has forged a career of her own. Model, writer and now television star, Sophie Dahl shows no sign of slowing down.
Jessica Swavley spoke to the British darling about her new show, The Delicious Miss Dahl.
What is your favourite food?
Oh God, it changes every day. Currently comfort food: fish pie, mushy peas, really good creamy mashed potato.
Do you have people around for dinner? What would we find on the menu?
Yes, quite a lot. Friday’s menu was wild salmon with a salsa verde, curd rice, spinach and a salad, homemade bread and a lemon tart for pudding.
What excites you most about food?
The alchemy of it. That you can put something in the oven one way, and 45 minutes later it comes out as another thing entirely. It’s magical.
Have you had any food disasters?
Loads. Always when trying to show off. Soufflés and puff pastry collapsing, cakes like rocks. I always think the best thing is to laugh and own it.
How has your relationship with food changed over the years?
I’ve always loved it, but I think I’m much more aware now of where it comes from, what’s in it.
How did the idea of the show come about?
I wrote a book about food, because I’m greedy and I write, and it combined two passions. A production company saw my book and thought that there was a show lurking there. I could talk about food until the cows come come home, so it was a happy marriage.
Who would you like to cook for?
People I love. My idea of total bliss is a big heaving table with lots of happy well-fed people at it.
What is your food weakness?
Cheap chocolate.
How do you think the food landscape has changed over the past few years?
People have become a lot more aware of the seasonality and sustainability of what they eat, and I think it’s impacted on both how we shop and how we eat. Because I live in the country, we grow a lot of fruit, and I buy most of my vegetables and dairy from a local farm shop, and my meat from the local butcher. I like being able to shop locally, and a decade ago, I’m not sure how much everyone was thinking about that.
Do you think people such as Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver and shows such as MasterChef have changed people’s relationship with food?
I think they’ve made cooking more accessible and made people more adventurous. The things they cook seem within reach.
Do you think the media should take more responsibility for the body images they portray?
Yes, particularly now we live in a time where dreary amounts of attention is given to pictures of women caught unawares, with some newspaper, magazine or blog gleefully pointing out her every flaw. But I think we also have a responsibility as consumers to question why that might be appealing to us, and what kind of legacy we’re creating for our daughters and granddaughters, putting microscopic attention on our bodies and the bodies around us.
What advice would you give to young women who are interested in the fashion/beauty industry?
Boring mum-type advice! Finish your education, and if you want to give it a go, look for a reputable model agency. Don’t waste money on modelling “courses” or “schools”, a proper agency will teach you the ropes as you go. Very rarely is modelling a long-term career, so it is hugely important for both your self-esteem and bank account to develop other skills.
Describe your ultimate Sunday morning?
Poached eggs on toast in bed with all the papers and a big pot of tea.
Do you have a saying you live by?
I don’t think so. I say “What a joy” far too often.
What are your ‘can’t live without’ beauty products?
I love anything Jurlique, particularly the rose water, and Maybelline Great Lash mascara is spectacular. That and ChapStick.
Pick a favourite
Cake or cheese?
Steak or seafood?
Seafood.
Salad or fries?
Both. Sorry.
Brunch or afternoon tea?
Brunch.
Champagne or beer?
Neither. I hate champagne and I don’t love beer. Can I have a martini?
The Delicious Miss Dahl screens Mondays at 7.30pm from September 20, 2010, on LifeStyle Food through Foxtel and Austar. Your say: Will you be watching The Delicious Miss Dahl? What do you think of Sophie Dahl? Share with us below.
Your say: What do you think of Sophie Dahl? Are you looking forward to watching her show? Share with us below.
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