Barnsley Chop

about me

I would describe myself as a hobby cook with very little formal training in cooking. I have always enjoyed good food when eating out and for many years wished I could cook food like I get when at a restaurant. I always felt at a loss on where to begin though, until I turned on the TV to UKTV Food and started watching cook shows to pick up some tips and dissolve some mysteries of cooking for myself instead of just warming up pre-made frozen meals in the oven.

Now I eat more of what I want with less of what I don't like in portions that I prefer. Ever since 2006 when I started cooking I have also found I have lost weight, despite very little in a diet change. I still eat fatty meats, I am a little ham fisted with my portions for one so I always end up with a plate full, and there are few veg that I like. Even so, I have gone down from nearly 19 stone to 15 and a half stone in the last 2 years.

I would never wish to make a career out of food though as it is more of a hobby and less of a chore for me. I wish to keep it this way.

My favourite TV chefs are James Martin, Mike Robinson and Ainsley Harriot. I also like the Hairy Bikers series and Anthony Bourdain.

Favorite Foods:

Mexican
Cantonese
Thai
Italian
Indian
Moroccan/other north African
Caribbean
And of course, Great British food. (Yes we have it)

Red Meats (I love my steaks, medium as they were meant to be)
Seafood like prawns/shrimp, all forms of fish from cod to bass and flat fish to trout. I also like squid and octopus when cooked right.

Now for my ... un-favourite food. Nothing much but it should be known I am in the probable one in a thousand people category that do not like onions. I do like their taste, but I do not like the texture of them in my mouth. I have a gag reflex when I feel them. They could be crisp, raw, softened and slimy. It all does the same to me, so this is my own food torture because they smell so good when cooking. And specifically Fajitas which are one of my favourite foods are murder for me because it always comes on a bed of fried onions on the skillet.

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