Kate Sidley

Unabashed chic lit that will appeal to all right-minded males as well, The Agony Chef features the wit, wisdom and recipes of one Delilah [think Delia Smith blended with Dear Abby, whipped into a froth, lightly chilled, and served with a hefty dose of salt] a much-married ex-con, former roadie, mother of two, and soul food expert.
Author Kate Sidley is a high profile columnist and this, her first book, is a delightfully surprising fusion of styles: fictional, but not a novel, featuring recipes, but not a cookery book, humorous but hardly comic, and dispensing advice without being in the least ‘self help’.
This tomato-tinged tome suggests food for the psyche, with ideal menus for those times in your life when, really, food is the only answer. It starts “When things go awry, reach for the carbs” and follows up with the excellent maxim ‘better the doughnut than the gin. Or, in extreme cases, both’.
And that sets the tone for this delightful concoction [food similes are inevitable I’m afraid] of letters asking Agony Chef Delilah for help on topics ranging from what to serve at a ‘break-up bash’ [lots of garlic, chocolate and booze] to stylish snacks and classy canapés to impress your former class mates at a school reunion party.
Its funny, it’s a tiny bit irreverent, it contains jolly good recipes and easy-to-follow methods – I wrapped my wraps correctly for the first time last night to the great delight of my family – its Jamie Oliver meets Dr Phil meets Dorothy Parker meets Kate Sidley, and every kitchen should have one.
PS Delilah says: The best way to burn lots of calories is to set a doughnut on fire. Wise words indeed.… (plus d'informations)