DeepSummary
The podcast episode is an interview with renowned British cookery writer and broadcaster Delia Smith, where she discusses her life and career spanning over four decades, as well as her passion for football and her involvement with Norwich City FC. Smith reflects on her upbringing, her journey into the culinary world, and her desire to teach people how to cook through her books and television shows.
The conversation touches on the impact of Smith's work, the 'Delia Effect' where her recipes would cause runs on certain ingredients, and her approach to making cooking accessible and removing the fear factor. Smith also talks about meeting her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones, and their shared love for Norwich City FC, where they have been majority shareholders since 1996.
Throughout the interview, Smith shares her music choices, including songs by Paul Simon, The Beatles, and Kate Bush, and discusses the significance of these tracks in her life. The episode also delves into Smith's upbringing, her mother's influence, and her decision to leave school without any qualifications, leading to her unconventional path into the culinary world.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Delia Smith's mission was to teach people how to cook by making recipes clear and accessible, removing the fear factor.
- Smith's work had a significant impact, causing the 'Delia Effect' where her recipes would lead to runs on certain ingredients.
- Smith's passion for football and her involvement with Norwich City FC as a majority shareholder since 1996.
- The influence of Smith's mother and grandmother on her culinary skills and Christmas traditions.
- Smith's humility and gratitude towards those who have supported her throughout her career.
- The significance of music, including artists like Paul Simon, The Beatles, and Kate Bush, in Smith's life.
- Smith's approach to making cooking accessible and removing the fear factor for people to learn how to cook.
- The importance of community and togetherness, particularly during Christmas, as emphasized by Smith.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We never did all the things I should have given that I did. I don't make it go, make it go away.“ by Kate Bush
- “It's a people thing. It's people coming together and people traveling across the country to see their friends and their relatives. And I just think this whole idea of people having a celebration and eating too much and drinking too much, that's what life's about.“ by Delia Smith
- “Both my Christmas cake, the traditional Christmas cake and the pudding are both a combination of my grandmother and my mother's recipes.“ by Delia Smith
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Episode Information
Desert Island Discs
BBC Radio 4
1/21/24
Delia Smith CH CBE is one of Britain’s most popular and successful cookery writers and broadcasters.
Her first book, How to Cheat at Cooking, was published in 1971 and she presented her first television series, Family Fare, two years later. Since then she has presented many more series and her books have sold more than 21 million copies in the UK alone. Her widespread influence has led to the phrase ‘the Delia effect’, when large numbers of shoppers sought out her recommendations.
Delia was born in Woking in 1941, and grew up in Bexleyheath. She attended the local secondary modern school, but left without any qualifications. She eventually found work as a pot washer and then a waitress in a French restaurant in London, where the chef encouraged her interest in cooking and food.
In 1969 she landed the job of cookery writer on the Daily Mirror’s new colour supplement. There she honed her simple, no-nonsense instructions and met her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones.
She hung up her apron in 2013 to spend more time on her other passion - football. Delia and Michael have been long-standing supporters – and, since 1996, majority shareholders - of Norwich City FC. She lives in Suffolk countryside in the same cottage she and Michael bought as their first home.
DISC ONE: The Sound of Silence - Paul Simon DISC TWO: Within You Without You - The Beatles DISC THREE: Gnossienne No 1. Composed by Erik Satie and performed by Alexandre Tharaud DISC FOUR: Caruso – composed by Lucio Dalla and performed by Luciano Pavarotti DISC FIVE: Kyrie: Call To Prayer – Muezzin from the Muhammad Ali Mosque, Cairo. Performed by Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Choristers of St. George's Chapel, Windsor and composed by David Fanshawe DISC SIX: This Woman's Work - Kate Bush DISC SEVEN: He Moved Through the Fair - Sinéad O'Connor DISC EIGHT: Happy - Pharrell Williams
BOOK CHOICE: Sister Wendy’s 100 Best-loved Paintings by Wendy Beckett LUXURY ITEM: The Desert Island Discs archive CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Kyrie: Call To Prayer – Muezzin from the Muhammad Ali Mosque, Cairo. Composed by David Fanshawe and performed by Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Choristers of St. George's Chapel, Windsor
Presenter Lauren Laverne Producer Sarah Taylor