Mary Berry

I was surprised that she wears nail varnish when cooking. I remember being taught that this was a hygiene no, no!

I did cook the lemon tiered cake from last week and followed the recipe to the letter, but found it very crumbly. Was better the next day. X

I like Mary Berry, but thought last night's dinner party food was a bit over the top and so unhealthy, also very expensive for the likes of me!
As I said, I really do like Mary, but there is something about her hands which bothers me.....

I always used to think that about her hands but I have since read that she had polio as a child which left her hands slightly deformed.

She's always sticking her nails in the food though.

Thanks KatyK. I didn't know that. I shall watch her hands with kinder thoughts now.... but I agree about the nails, Lona.

henetha - to he honest sometimes her hands put me off watching her - when I read that she had had polio, I watched her with kinder thoughts too! There was another cook who used to have long, bright red nails which I thought was a bit 'off'. One of those Two Fat Ladies, Jennifer something.

Jennifer Patterson and Clarissa Dickson-something... Yes, I remember the red nails! One of them has died, but Clarissa is still around, I think.

That's them! I used to find them quite entertaining - apart from the nails.

I once watched The Two Fat Ladies and it made me have, they were making something awful like game pie, and the one with he long red nails was digging into a bowl of minced meat to mix in spices or something, then making pastry, I had visions of all that raw meat under her nails........

As to Mary Berry, taking a risk here, but are we seeing too much of her? Yes she is a good baker, but only watched about 10 minutes of last night, bit of a seventies dinner party. Liked her on Great British Bake Off though

sorry, made me heave......

Sometimes the TV people go a bit over the top once they latch on to someone's popularity, they saturate us with them. James Martin now has 3 or 4 shows a week on BBC I think. I can't bring myself to complain though, I think he is gorgeous.

I'm now trying to remember if Marguerite Patten ever wore nail polish? Or Fanny Craddock? Didn't Jennifer of the 2 Fat Ladies wear lots of gold rings too? I'm pretty sure it was her I used to wonder if she might lose a diamond in her pastry one day.

I don't think Marguerite Patten wore nail varnish though I wouldn't put it past Fanny Craddock! I was dreaming last night about kneading bread (Why, Dr Freud?) and I was not wearing nail varnish!

I am going to say this and then run for cover! I know that the Hairy Bikers have a huge following but their appearance revolts me, especially the greasy long hair dangling over the food. I imagine them tinkering with the motor bikes, then baking with unwashed hands.

Mary Berry mentioned 'Home and Freezer Digest' - I realky loved that magazine and I still use some recipes from it!

I completely agree with you shysal not forgetting those beards too.

I used to like watching the chap ( can't remember his name) who got slowly sozzled whilst cooking the recipes. He's my kind of cook - hic !

What you say KatyK is so true. TV planners seem to have no imagination - they hit on one winning formula and then do it to death - Masterchef and the other cookery programmes,Antiques Road Show, Great British Bake Off,Great British Sewing Bee, Great British wWatching Paint Dry etc followed by the endless Celebrity/Sports Relief/Chidren in Need variations and then those lookalike home makeover programmes and futile "competitions" where people have to complete the Taj Mahal in 3 days with 2 volunteer helpers.

I agree shysal, those Hairy Bikers make me heave. Rings, bracelets and long hair. Yuk!

It was Keith Floyd, NanKate, My food hero.

I read today that Michel Roux Jr is leaving the BBC as they cannot come to an agreement regarding his commercial enterprises. I wonder what ITV will have lined up for him?

I love Michel Roux Jnr, his twinkly eyes just make me all soppy.

Raymond Blanc - ooh I go all weak at the knees and he can cook! X

Soutra loved your piece and so amusing!- and I do agree. I do admire Mary Berry but her cooking in the new programme is so passe - supposed to be an accent (acute) over the e!! The content doesn't excite me. Apart from this she is a lovely lady and is a star in The Great British Bake -off.

I thought Mary Berry is a bit stuck in her ways!! James Martin, on the other hand