Maxine Pancaldi (Tunbridge Wells and East Sussex areas)

Hi there, I’m Maxine, but I mostly get called Max or Cookie! I live in a small Sussex village called Mark Cross, not far from Tunbridge Wells. Our house is right next to a farmer’s field, so we are kept company by sheep or cows, depending on where the farmer wants them to nibble.

I am married to Matthew and we have two children, James and Isobella.  We have a few pets: Zeus the dog, Treacle and Dillon the cats, Skipper and Donnie the bunnies and Spitfire and Spotty the fish.  We may get some chickens and maybe even a goat, but I may need to grow a few more hands before that happens!

I was born and brought up in: Liverpool and I support Everton. My mum is the most fantastic person I know – she makes all of our aprons, hats and gift bags.

My favourite place in the world to visit is: Vancouver in Canada (and the bottom of my garden).

My favourite meal is: Sunday Roast, especially with roast parsnips. (And I love cream too – any kind, sour, whipped, single, double and ice-cream).

I hate: peppers – even though they look lovely we just don’t get on very well and coconut.

Most unusual food eaten: I’m pretty sure I ate toad in China – I didn’t mean to, honest.

Favourite chef: I love Gary Rhodes; he is so enthusiastic and is so passionate about flavours. My daughter loves Anthony Worrell–Thomson, and Saturday Kitchen, is one of her favourite shows.

Favourite Cook book: A very old copy (will someone find me a replacement please!) of the Dairy Book of Home Cookery, which has loose pages and lots of handwritten recipes shoved inside from my mum, Auntie Marge and Auntie Sybil. There is even an old handwritten conversion table for oven temperatures from Uncle Harold.

Favourite things to do: (when I am not experimenting in the kitchen) is when we all work in the garden together as a family, cutting back the brambles and picking the apples, followed by a big bonfire and lots of campfire songs.

Food tip: Grow It. Cook It. Eat It!

Sandra Davies (SW London - Kingston/Richmond)

Hi, I’m Sandra and I live in Kingston upon Thames.  I am married to Ceri and have two children called Matthew and Alex.  We have two cats, Mickey & Oliver, two rabbits Marmite & Toast and two gerbils and I would love to get a dog when I have more free time.

I was born in San Salvador, Central America and was very lucky to have been brought up in Iran, Brazil and China so I have eaten many different types of food.
I think my favourite has to be Chinese.

Favourite holidays: Somewhere warm, by the sea.
My favourite place would be the Cayman Islands.

Favourite dish:  This would have to be a Sunday roast with all the trimmings.  For something sweet I can’t resist pavlova!

I hate: artichokes.

I love to cook: Roasts, spaghetti bolognaise as the children eat the lot!  I also like baking especially cakes.

I really enjoy: Cooking for friends, especially on sunny days with the BBQ.

Favourite Chef: It has to be Jamie Oliver because of his easy going style of cooking.

Food Tip: Experiment and enjoy.

Favourite things to do: Swimming, cycling and lazy days on the beach with family and friends finished off with a beach BBQ.

Karen Price (SW London - Kingston/Richmond)

Hi there, my name is Karen and l live in Kingston-Upon-Thames with my husband Andrew and two children Tom aged 9 and Lauren aged 7.  We have a cuddly lop eared rabbit called Smudge; due to the white smudge on his nose!  Our garden pond is currently teaming with frogs.

I was born and brought up in Sheffield where l still have a strong family network.  My mum makes the best Yorkshire Puddings

My favourite place to visit is Courchevel in the French Alps where l have spent many happy holidays skiing with my family

My favourite meal is: Roast beef and of course Yorkshire pudding, followed by fruit crumble and custard

I hate: Lemon Meringue Pie

Most unusual food eaten:  Conga Eel that was caught and cooked by my friend

Favourite Chef: Jamie Oliver, he brings simplicity back into cooking

Favourite cookbook:  I also own and love the Dairy Book of Home Cookery, and Delia Smith’s collection; for traditional recipes

Favourite things to do:  Sudoko’s, reading, and spending time with my family.

Food Tip:  Don’t be afraid to experiment

Melanie Lee (SW London - Kingston/Richmond)

Hi, my name is Mel and I live in Kingston upon Thames with my husband Rik and three children Grace, Beatrix and Florence. 

Although I live in a big town now, I actually grew up on a dairy farm in Wiltshire and used to help by collecting eggs and calve the cows.

Favourite holidays: I was once known for my back-packing to crazy places around the world, but that has now been replaced by family seaside holidays and camping – just like my own childhood.

Most unusual thing eaten: Locusts at a weird food party.

Favourite dish:  Thai salads in the summer heat and huge roasts in the winter.

I hate: plain boiled rice.

I love to cook: Everything!

I really enjoy: baking cakes with my children.

Favourite Chef: Rick Stein and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. They are so passionate about food.

Food Tip: With a growing family I plan my menus ahead - this saves on food, wastage and money and means I can really choose seasonal foods.

Favourite things to do: Outdoor pursuits with my family.

Mandy Cohen (Our lovely nutritionist!)

My name is Mandy and I live on a farm with Peter and my faithful dog Millie, who is a black Labrador.  I live next door to three triplet girls, Rosie, Izzie and Hattie and their brother George who often pop round to help me cook and have fun in the kitchen.  Rosie came for a sleepover recently and we made fresh pizzas for supper.

My favourite recipe is homemade spaghetti bolognaise (whole-wheat pasta) made using leftovers from a lamb joint, onions, tin of tomatoes, chopped mushrooms, grated carrot, and a touch of tomato sauce and some garlic, Mediterranean herbs and red wine and served with parmesan cheese. Yummy!

Favourite drink: Elderflower cordial - (I love picking the flowers from the hedgerow in June and then making the cordial ourselves).

I hate: Rice pudding (oh, Mandy how can you?)

I Love: Roast vegetables - especially sweet potato, squash, parsnip and carrot.

Favourite cookery book: The most used one is my grandmother’s old Good Housekeeping Cookery Book. Otherwise I like Jamie Oliver’s style, but Delia Smith’s recipes are always good to use as well.

Most unusual food eaten: Pigeon Pie in Morocco.

Nutrition tip - enjoy creating your food and make time to sit and share the meal with others.  Balance springs to mind - enjoy a range of foods that will give you a variety of nutrients.