MICROWAVE expert Anne Reney-Smith has won a celebrity fan - Clarissa Dickson Wright of the BBC's Two Fat Ladies.
The petite and quietly spoken home-economist from Holt hit it off with the brash TV star at the Nantwich Food and Drink Festival last weekend.
During her food demonstration, Clarissa, whose latest TV series is Clarissa and the Countryman, highly recommended Anne's book before introducing her to the crowds.
'She was a hard act to follow,' said Anne. 'I had met her the day before and given her a copy of my book The Medieval Microwave.
'I was so surprised when I bumped into her the next day and she said she had already read my book and she loved it. I was very flattered and pleased. I don't know how she found the time.'
Clarissa had obviously read Anne's page in her book on poisonous herbs and flowers.
She joked with the audience that she wanted to feed Prime Minister Tony Blair a daffodil, which Anne says, if eaten, is a highly dangerous bulb.
Clarissa urged the crowd to watch Anne's Ploughman's Ping Cuisine demonstration and buy copies of her book.
Anne said: 'I did sell quite a lot of books after that. It was very kind of her to give me such a boost.
'For my demonstration, I had used local farmers' produce and Clarissa is also a big advocate of the rural life and promoting countryside businesses. She was a wonderful public speaker, I think she ought to be a politician.'
A recovered alcoholic, Clarissa was a barrister before she turned to her real love of cooking and started her own catering business.
After turning to Alcoholics anonymous and while in a halfway house, Clarissa started working at Books for Cooks in Notting Hill, London.
She hit fame in the sidecar of Jennifer Paterson's motorcycle on Two Fat Ladies, but after her co-star's death in 1998, she refused to do another series.
In her latest venture, she joined her lifelong friend sheep farmer Sir Johnny Scott to pay homage to rural Britain, sharing their passion for field sports and traditional country activities.
Meanwhile, Anne has proved there is more to microwaves than baked potatoes.
After promoting Manweb microwaves for more than 25 years, she now gives advice and has written a string of books.
She holds regular demonstrations showing people how to make delicious meals, herbal remedies, fragrant beauty products and seasonal decorations at the touch of a button. Anne Reney-Smith's next microwave cooking demonstration, Versatile Vegetables, will take place at the Pheasant Inn, Burwardsley.
Coffee and biscuits will be served at 10.30am and the demonstration will begin at 11am. To reserve a place, call Anne on 01829 271335. Celebrity cook Clarissa Dickson Wright launched a new food outlet on Monday.
The TV favourite did the honours of opening Gabbie's Deli on Church Street, Malpas.
Fans got the opportunity to meet the star, have books signed and sample the delights of the deli, which boasts an 8ft olive bar, deli counters and a bistro.
An array of artwork graces the walls of the deli which is now open 9.30am-6pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9.30am-5pm on Wednesday and 9.30am-4.30pm on Saturday.
