Influences

Rose's ideas and approach to food have emerged out of a host of influences some concious, whilst some are undoubtedly too subtle for me to even have registered.

Food Writing

Undoubtedly a triumvirate of women food writers stand out.

Constance Spry, Elizabeth David and Jane Grigson. Of these it is Elizabeth David that leads the way.

Rose was crazy about the writings of Elizabeth David and decided to make a film about her. She convinced the former Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten to present it for her and after several false starts Channel 4 funded the epic and it was broadcast to great acclaim in 2000.

There's not just the food, though. There's the writing and the journalism.

Journalism and Career

Two figures stand out in influencing Rose's food writing career. Her busband, Doiminic - and her first editor Rosie Boycott.

Dominic it was who gave Rose the confidence and belief that she could make it as a writer, and Rosie Boycott was the person who gave Rose her first main opportunity.

Rosie Boycott, then editor of the Independent on Sunday got Rose to write an opus on Elizabeth David and then when she moved to edit the Daily Express she gave Rose a column to write about food which appeared every Saturday for more than two years.

The column won the Glenfiddich Prize, which is like the Oscars for food writers. Dominic, her husband was pleased with the case of whisky (long gone) and the cheque for a grand (long gone also).

When Rosie Boycott left the Express so did Rose. The difference was that Rosie got a suitcase of money and Rose got none so she went off and wrote a few pieces for the Times and then onward to the Daily Telegraph.