Happy Birthday Diana Darling! Read on to dive into her favourite foods, must try hacks, and a few memorable mishaps that remind us all, even the best chefs have their ‘oops’ moments!

What’s your ultimate comfort food? The one thing you’d eat in your PJs on a lazy Sunday?
Ohhh Risotto! Always Lemon and Thyme Risotto! One pan, no faff, no mountain of washing up, it’s the lazy girl’s dream dish! The best kind of comfort food doesn’t involve cleaning up for days

What’s the most surprising ingredient you’ve fallen in love with? Something you never expected to enjoy cooking with?
Katsuobushi – also known as Bonito Flakes. I was so sceptical at first,  they’re these weird little wispy dried fish flakes that look like they belong in a hamster cage… BUT throw them into a broth and BOOM – absolute flavour bomb! They give this incredible umami depth, like a warm, fishy hug from the sea!

What’s your ultimate cooking hack that’ll totally level up your kitchen game?
The secret weapon of champions, the humble OXO Chicken Stock Cube! People seriously underestimate it. If you’re whipping up something savoury, say a Tomato Sauce or a Pea Purée and it’s missing that oomph? Chuck in half a cube and just watch the flavour explode. It’s instant depth, instant magic. I basically carry one in my pocket at all times… just in case!

You have a £50 budget at the supermarket to whip up a dinner party, what’s on the menu?
First up, we’ll kick things off with a gorgeous Brûléed Chicken Liver Parfait with a crispy Melba Toast on the side. Then, we’ll dive into a show-stopping Ballotine of Chicken, served with Fondant Potatoes and Peas. And for dessert? You’ll be swooning over a Junket with Stewed Seasonal Fruit, all delicate, dreamy, and served in a Champagne Coupe for that touch of class. We’ll top it off with a sprinkle of nutmeg, because we’re fancy like that. All for £50? You’d never guess!

We all love a cheeky takeaway now and then – what’s your go-to spot in London when you’re too tired to cook?
I’ve NEVER had a takeaway, darling! If I’m too tired to cook, I’ll just have an avocado and a pot of cottage cheese, drizzled with olive oil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of Maldon salt — perfection!!

Imagine it’s your dream birthday meal – what’s on the menu, and where are you eating it?
I’m by the sea, it’s warm, the sun’s just set, there’s a full moon glistening over the ocean. Candlelight flickers, there are fresh flowers on the table, and opposite me? A delicious man, of course!

The Menu:

Are there any foodie rules or trends you think are just total nonsense? (Looking at you, gold-leaf on everything…)
I can’t stand restaurants with electric candles, why go fake when you can go real?! Same goes for fake flowers. I’m here for the real deal, always! If it’s fake, it shouldn’t be on the table. No real, no deal!

If you could swap jobs with any chef in the world for one day, who would it be, and why?
Nigel Slater. I love the way he cooks, it’s all about instinct and simplicity, just like me. Plus, he gives you a platform to work from, not a rulebook

London’s packed with amazing restaurants – what’s your top hidden gem that we all need to try?
Scully’s restaurant is something else, the flavours are interesting, delicious, and totally unusual

Lastly, what is your food nemesis?
Scotch bonnets! Oh, I’ve told this one to the students before, but here’s the story: I was hosting a dinner party, and the recipe called for scotch bonnets to add a little kick. What I didn’t realise was that I was supposed to take them out before serving… so one of my guests, in all their glory, ate a whole scotch bonnet. Fast forward to him in the hospital — don’t worry, he’s fine now! But let me tell you, that was one spicy dinner party. Even after all these years of cooking, I still manage to pull off the occasional kitchen disaster. Keeps things interesting, though, right?

Happy birthday Darling Diana, and here’s to many more delicious moments ahead!