Mary Berry Interviewed by James Naughtie

One of Britain’s best-loved cookery writers and broadcasters Dame Mary Berry talks about her latest book, Cook and Share, and about her life, work and mission to get everyone baking and cooking at home, in the festival’s annual Felicity Bryan Tribute Conversation.

Berry trained at the Cordon Bleu in Paris and Bath School of Home Economics and became cookery editor of Housewife magazine and then Ideal Home magazine in the 1960s. She first appeared on the television in the early 1970s with Judith Chalmers in Afternoon Plus. Berry has since gone on to become a household name through many subsequent television series and her writing. She has been a judge on The Great British Bake Off, The Junior Bake Off, Comic Relief Bake Off and Sports Relief Bake Off. Her recent television series include Mary Berry Love to Cook, Mary Berry Cooks, Foolproof Cooking, Mary Berry’s Classic, Mary Berry’s Quick Cooking, and Mary Berry’s Simple Comforts.

Her latest book, Cook and Share, ties in with her newest series of the same name for the BBC, which aired in the autumn. It includes more than 100 of her favourite dishes to share with the ones we love, brunch recipes including brioche with avocado, spinach and bacon, indulgent mac and cheese with smoked haddock and her ultimate chocolate brownie.

Felicity Bryan founded the Oxford independent literary agency, Felicity Bryan Associates, in 1988. Bryan died in 2020. She was a popular figure in literary circles and a great supporter of the Oxford Literary Festival. Berry is one of Felicity Bryan Associates’ authors. Here she talks to journalist and writer James Naughtie, who is also one of the agency’s authors.

Felicity Brian Tribute Conversation 2022 Edmund de Waal