Comedian Harry Hill recently won a BAFTA for his ITV show TV Burp. But off screen his mind has been on foodie matters – like launching his own range of Fairtrade nuts.
PAUL NEWMAN GAVE ME THE IDEA FOR HARRY’S NUTS! Not in person. I was looking at his sauces and thought: ‘I could do that’.
I LIKE FAIRTRADE BECAUSE THEY’RE NOT PUSHY. When I suggested the idea for Fairtrade nuts, they sent my brother Rod [who’s an organic farmer] and I to meet nut farmers in Malawi – result!
WHY NUTS? Because I eat lots of them. Other people have a biscuit; I have nuts. They are my snack of choice.
WHEN YOU GET OLDER, FOOD IS THE MAIN THING TO LOOK FORWARD TO. Young people look forward to a night out. I think: ‘What’s for dinner?’
I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT PASTA WAS UNTIL I MET MY WIFE. I was 32 at the time. I had tried Spaghetti Hoops, though.
MY FIRST VENTURE INTO COOKING WAS A SUNDAY ROAST. I’m a lot better at it now. I used to make spaghetti bolognese, too, but the kids complained.
MY TASTES HAVE GROWN MORE SOPHISTICATED OVER THE YEARS. But I still think you can’t beat a really good steak and chips.
MY WIFE DOES A REALLY GOOD SMOKED HADDOCK DISH WITH MUSHROOMS. It’s quite complicated, so we only get it about once a year.
BOEUF BOURGUIGNON IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITES. So is slow-cooked shoulder of lamb (not too pink) with roast potatoes and parsnips.
I USED TO BE A DOCTOR and my view is that unless you’re overweight, your diet has little effect on your risk of developing a fatal disease.
I DON’T COUNT MY FIVE-A-DAY. I’m not keen on Government directives. I think they replace common sense and are just a little bit patronising.
TV CHEFS ARE GREAT FODDER. It’s enjoyable when they run into controversy – like Delia and her cheating. That was great fun.
I DRINK BLOODY MARYS IN THE EVENING. My agent once said: ‘You look tense, have a Bloody Mary.’ I’ve followed his advice ever since.
MY WIFE AND I ARE CONSCIOUS OF OUR KIDS’ DIETS. But they will only eat what they want. I’ve tried shouting, cajoling. Nothing works.
I CAN’T BE DOING WITH EGG SANDWICHES. It’s the smell. They’re the kind of thing that gets you into trouble at school.
I DON’T HAVE A SWEET TOOTH, but I do like chocolate and anything with cream.
HARRY’S NUTS! IS NOT A GIMMICK. I really want to help get a better deal for farmers.
Harry’s Nuts! (Fairtrade salted cashews and peanuts) are available at Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. All profits from sales benefit Fairtrade nut farms in Malawi, Mozambique, Nicaragua and India.