My dear friend and sometime colleague Mark Diacono agreed to have a chat that we had imagined would be a fond ramble through lardy cakes and 1970s Findus pancakes (mostly things with cake in the title actually), but instead turned out to be a blushing confessional of the time that Mark woke up in a commercial oven dressed as Boy George after drinking a mixture of alcohols that I’ve yet to find a reference to in any cocktail literature because it sounds disgusting (Mark insists it tastes like cream soda). Despite what this might lead you to think, Mark is a gentle, thoughtful man and a brilliant writer. I could (and sometimes do) spend hours talking to him about everything and nothing and feel that the time was very well spent. His plaudits are many - ex River Cottage head gardener, grower of unusual edible plants, author of many award winning cookbooks and regular columnist on food and gardening. Whatever he’s currently into, he’ll make sure you’re into it too after a few minutes chat. Infectious enthusiasm I think they call it - like a culinary spaniel with a very exciting treasure he found on the beach.
Check out his books, website and Instagram posts below.
Photo credit: Jason Ingram
Other bits mentioned in the podcast:
Jonathan Kay - performer & workshop leader
How to Eat a Peach by Diana Henry
The Flavour Thesaurus by Niki Segnit
