12 Comments
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Julie Dee's avatar

I still use my Delia cookbooks when I need a thorough explanation of something basic. That’s what she did well - detail.

Yes it was a great era for cookery shows. Great piece.

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Charlie Brown's avatar

I do too. Hers and Mary Berry

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Vicky Hampton's avatar

I love Rick Stein. He both looks and sounds a whole lot like my dad, who is also obsessed with food. Thanks for reminding me of both of them - your article made me feel very nostalgic!

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Charlie Brown's avatar

He also reminds me of my father in law!

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Meredith Webb's avatar

Love Rick Stein but some of the things he says are beyond cringeworthy!

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Samuel Chapman's avatar

I've watched the Two Fat Ladies, and Keith Floyd on and off on youtube. Excellent TV. Delia's Christmas is also a great watch. Many of the era's cookbooks are available in charity shops or ebay.

I also enjoyed Clarissa and the Countryman, a series on fieldsports and hunting, which was so successful at presenting its point that the BBC have never released it on DVD or video. I met her years ago at a country show in Cambridgeshire.

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Charlie Brown's avatar

Delia Smith's Christmas show was amazing

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Sher W's avatar

I have to ponder if there isn't also some sort of ASMR-type reaction to a well-paced cooking show, like watching Bob Ross' "Joy of Painting". Hmmmmm....

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Charlie Brown's avatar

There definitely could be

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david pierson's avatar

When I did a backpacker thru Oz, made friends with a Brit and we used to have a laugh, he'd starting banging on how great Britain was and I'd take the piss out of him but saying it wasn't. Got on the subject of British TV and I said, no question Masterpiece Theatre is tops, but your actual day to day TV is shit... he didn't agree but he came to visit me in Canada and he had changed his mind, man, were you ever right.. normal TV is the shits.. cheers Napa David

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Julie McCoy's avatar

Loved watching two fat ladies may even have some tapes to put in the VCR… if it still worked.

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Charlie Brown's avatar

I found a lot of them on YouTube if it doesn't work!

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