NIGELLA LAWSON
INTERVIEW: KERRY FOWLER. PHOTOGRAPHS: DEBRA HURFORD BROWN, LAURA EDWARDS, REX, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
Nigella in full bloom;
The doyenne of relaxed, do-able cooking talks Christmas memories and explains why cooking is important in her life
MY LIFE ON A PLATE
the young Nigella at Christmas
THE MEAL OF THE YEAR My mother took Christmas dinner very seriously, but every year there would be tears. I vowed that when I grew up, I’d enjoy the day without overstretching myself. It still has to be turkey; the brussels sprouts must be buttery and full of chestnuts, and the bread sauce must be chunky. I learned that as long as the gravy and roast potatoes are piping hot, it doesn’t matter if everything else isn’t.