Island Life Magazine Ltd February / March 2016 | Page 96

y
r
r
e
B
!
e
c
i
N
FOOD

Eagle-eyed Bake
Off fans will have
spotted national
treasure Mary
Berry recently
making friends
with some Island
crustaceans, as she
filmed an episode
of her new show
Foolproof Cooking
in and around
Ventnor at the end
of 2015. Now on air,
Foolproof Cooking
shows Mary going
out on a fishing
boat with local Ed
Blake, whose family
owns Ventnor Haven
Fishery. The fisherman helped Mary catch lobster before
she transformed it into a delicious treat, served with aioli
and asparagus. At the time of Mary’s visit, Cheryl Blake,
who runs the fishery, told a local paper: “I enjoyed working
with her, she is a lovely lady and good fun.”
Home cooking and baking has enjoyed a massive
resurgence in recent years and that is thanks in part to
TGBBO and Mary herself. Born in Bath, the 80-year-old TV
presenter and cookery writer – who has penned over 70
books - has encouraged people to rediscover the delights
of good old-fashioned home cooking.

96

www.visitilife.com

Recent visitor to
the Island and
Great British
Bake Off star
Mary Berry
discusses her life
in the spotlight
and reveals how
she stays fit and
healthy – despite
all those cakes!

Since its first series
in 2010, Bake Off has
rapidly become the
nation’s favourite,
most-watched
programme and Mary
found herself in the
glare of the celebrity
spotlight, but she says
her experience of
fame has generally
been very positive. “I
am hugely grateful
for everything that I
have and what The
Great British Bake
Off has done for me,”
she says. “Everyone I
meet is lovely to me.
Just the other day, a couple of young lads came
up to me and asked for a photograph – they were probably
not even 20. But they did because they were big fans of the
show, and they were so nice and respectful. I enjoy that.”
With an astonishing career spanning six decades, Mary
has become a role model for many, both young and
old! When asked about the secret of her success, Mary
attributes this to the care of her husband Paul, who she
has been married to for 48 years.
“I have a wonderful husband who has supported me in
everything that I have done,” she says. “Paul actually quite
likes it when I am out and about and working hard.