Are you a cook?
Yes, I am. I wasn't until we moved house at Christmas and I now have a lovely country kitchen and my daughter bought me the Jamie Oliver and Gary Rhodes cookbooks so I've been trying out recipes ever since.

Any cooking tips?
Never buy ready meals or packet sauces! I make everything from fresh. It saves money and everything tastes so much nicer when you know what's gone into it.

What's your favourite dish?
I love seafood and scallops in particular. They're also very easy to cook with a bit of garlic and olive oil. Mussels are another favourite, which is funny because at one time I couldn't eat them. I like most pasta dishes, too.

And a drink to go with it?
I do love Champagne. And a nice Chablis goes well with fish.

Your favourite restaurant in the Sheffield area?
We have several. I like Loch Fyne opposite the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Maranello's in Ecclesall Road and Marco @ Milano in Millhouses.

And pub?
I think at the moment it's the Phoenix in Ridgeway. We live within walking distance. The landlord's lovely and the food is excellent and there's always a nice atmosphere.

What's the worst meal you've ever had?
I'm not going to name the chain but it was a well-known Ecclesall Road Italian. We went for my daughter's birthday, it was packed, we waited ages for the food and when it came it was really poor.

And the best?
There's a fabulous restaurant in Chesterfield called Buckingham's, run by master chef Nick Buckingham. I say restaurant but it's actually just a house with one table. The food was just to die for and the company was excellent. It was a memorable occasion.

Your favourite TV cook?
It's Jamie Oliver. I think he's cute and I just love the way there's no messing around and measuring out. It's just about throwing things in. Even the cookbook's the same – cooking made easy.

What do you think of Sheffield as a place to eat out?
It's excellent now. Division Street, Ecclesall Road, Leopold Square. There's loads of choice. It's all very good.