Ladettes, ladies and dressing for success...

There are some seminal moments in a man’s life…losing his virginity, the birth of his first child (not necessarily connected) and seeing his country win the rugby World Cup. For me it was meeting Rosemary Shrager (www.rosemaryshrager.com) last week in Herefordshire.

I’d been asked by Mr W, my flamboyant and self-professedly fabulous producer friend, to take part in the new series of Australian Ladette to Lady. Picture the scene as eight feral Aussie girls closely related to Ted Bundy are snatched from the Outback and taken to a finishing school in the depths of Herefordshire for 6 weeks in an attempt to ‘lady-fy’ them. We had been drafted in as the so-called cream of English aristocracy (don’t ask) to give the appearance of dignified social interaction, whilst secretly encouraging them all to behave as atrociously as possible on camera. Tonight was to be the dinner party.

Now let me tell you about Rosemary. As one of the country’s most respected chefs Rosemary Shrager was whipping up soufflés while Jamie Oliver’s parents were still in primary school and I was to sit next to her at dinner…

Whilst the Ladettes served us a starter closely reminiscent of wallpaper paste I chatted to Rosemary about all things epicurean when suddenly the penny dropped:

“Wait a second, aren’t you that chap who loves cooking ? Yes ! The producer showed me your Spanish tortilla on the internet – it was rather wonderful !”

Suddenly life just became more complete.

I chatted to Rosemary ten to the dozen for the next two hours (poor lady, she must have been exhausted by the time I shut up) and perhaps only to put a sock in it she suggested we stay in touch and I come along to see one of her new projects….fingers crossed and watch this space – the opportunity of a lifetime awaits !

Anyway, I digress… this week I’ve got a quickie for you – a tasty, tangy little salad dressing with a Spanish twist to go with that sumptuous Spanish Omelette – and me apparently getting carried away with the word “REALLY” (salad dressing can be exciting too you know).

Next week look out for my chorizo and toasted pine nut burgers – perfect for this unusually pleasant English summer !

x

(Incidentally while I've been writing this Claudia Schiffer has been eating breakfast with her husband two tables down - Zoolander Egg White Omelette to be posted soon)