Write a cookbook
Are you looking for a career change? Do you dream of writing a cookbook? Read one woman's story of how she did just that
Clarissa Porter, 59, lives in London with her husband David.
“I’ve always loved cooking– I used to style food for Keith Floyd. My husband never learnt to cook because I’ve always hogged the kitchen. No matter how late we get home from work, I’ll always knock up a little feast from scratch, and I won’t allow ready-made food into the house.
Then David’s friend asked me to write a recipe and food history column for Country Kitchen magazine. I’d collected hundreds of recipes over the years, many of which I’d modified and made my own. Writing the column was really fun. Suddenly I wasn’t just looking for appreciative sounds from my family and friends, but opening my recipe book to strangers. When the editor suggested that I put together a book I was so excited. It was wonderful to create and it made me reflect on what I’d achieved over the years – I realised I had a lot to be proud of.
I was in Sainsbury’s recently and spotted a woman flicking through my book. I found myself watching to see her reaction and then she turned to look at me and said, ‘It’s you, isn’t it?’ and asked me to sign the book. I was thrilled.”
Next dream? To fuse my love of food and painting in an art installation.
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