Is Delia past her sell by date?

I bought "Celebrations" for DS1s girlfriend for xmas at massive cut down price at WH Smiths,now what does that tell you

Hmmm well no prizes for guessing why Waitrose want Pippa (nobody) Middleton as their ambassador is there? She would be very naive to think they want her for her skills and "wealth of experience".

My favourite cook books are by Nigel Slater . Many of his books are not "cook books" in the traditional sense more like ideas depending on what you have available at the time or the season which is my favourite (and most economical) way of cooking.

Did anyone see the mail on Sunday supplement, maybe it was just the photography but the cakes looked really insipid.

I love Delia as her recipes work time and again and although I am an avid collector of all cookery books I always go back to Delia or Mary Berry. I agree with Ella46 that Delia didn't want to continue with the Waitrose magazine so they didn't dump her. Lets give Pippa a chance - you never know she might come out with something we didn't know!!

A Waitrose spokesperson has said that "she will bring a wealth of experience" to the magazine to which is to contribute. They must be having a laugh!

I think she looks a bit like Lorraine Chase.

I thought Keith Floyd's programs were wonderful. But I never found his recipes all that successful.

Bye the the way does anybody else also think that Peppa, sorry is it Pippa?,
looks quite similar to Wallis Simpson?

I read this somewhere and I thought there is something in it.

For me though, she looks very much like the ventriloquist puppet of years ago.

I learnt to 'cook' from Delia's books, first one I got was the Evening Standard Cook Book in 1974. Fed up with Pippa making her 'fortune' on the back of the Royals. Long live Delia

I agree absolutely, merlot. What's the point of owning a fancy cookbook if you have no idea how to make even a basic sauce from scratch? No wonder there are so many of them in charity shops...

I have more Keith Floyd than any other cook books. I think he was one of the first chefs to write an autobiography/ travelogue alongside his recipes - probably pinched the idea from Elizabeth David but much more entertaining.

feetlebaum If Delia's books seem more 'domestic science' than cooking, (there is a link, you know) bring it on. We have to inspire young people to cook the basics which are the building blocks of culinary skills. When I taught food technology I was working in a school with excellent facilities but I was deeply frustrated by having to teach food as an 'ology'. The children wanted to COOK. The old fashioned domestic science lessons would have taught them far more than learning how to design packaging for a chilled product in a supermarket.

Somebody gave me Celebration for Christmas, and I think it has definitely been ghosted. It is just a bunch of obvious ideas for parties with the odd recipe thrown in. I can't imagine ever using it.
I still use my Delia books, but yes feetlebaum Keith Floyd was a star , a flamboyant cook and a great personality

gracesmum - Once you've spent it - it isn't your money any more!

Could never be doing with Delia Smith - it seemed more like 'domestic science' than cooking. Give me the late Keith Floyd any day!

I like Delia I still have her early cookery books and she has inspired me over the years I always enjoyed her programmes and her down to earth approach. Not so with Heston B's don't really go for all that science laboratory stuff find it quite a turn off, literally. Didn't know Pippa Middleton had any association with cooking thought she was a mere "socialite" quite surprised Waitrose is using her, can't imagine what she will bring to the table, other than plonking one of her handbags on it!

I am disappointed that my money - i.e. Waitrose's profits whch they get from what I (and others) spend in their shops, is being wasted on a PR exercise. Pippa Middleton's Party book was a joke and remaindered within weeks of publication, so why are Waitrose hopping on to this bandwaggon?

I read somewhere that Delia didn't want to continue being the face of Waitrose, she wanted to concentrate on an online cookery site, or similar.

I still rely on her cookery course, so sensible and reliable. That's when or if I bother to cook anything..........

Besides, she is just an advertisement for Waitrose products – she doesn't have to cook anything.

Well must say we often use our Delia's 'Bible'. Her recipes always work without fail. The cover is falling off but the recipes are fine with sensible explanations.

However, Pippa M is modern and pretty so more saleable. May not have the same ability or skills. But they won't care as she'll look great on posters.

I find Pippa Middleton extremely irritating, and I can't imagine what sort of recipes she'd come up with which would appeal to ordinary families. Life isn't one big Celebration for all of us!

looking at delia,s recipe supplement in sunday paper, the cakes look yummy, i will pass it to my GD who loves baking, for her to bake a trial batch! i doubt pippa,s grandchildren will be interested! in fact will pippa be fashionable in 20 / 40 years time, and can she bake?!!!!!!!!

Not a bad bum either

It could easily backfire on Waitrose. Pippa has 'written' a book that the publishers couldn't give away whereas Delia has made millions from hers. Most cooks have a 'Delia' or two on their bookshelves. She is trusted and her recipes are reliable whereas Pippa????

I don't think Waitrose customers are going to waste their money.

Of course Delia was never that pretty even when young and although I am no connoisseur of female bums…

P.s. I am no connoisseur of male bums either just for the record.

Doubtless someone is 'ghosting' for Pippa.

I doubt Pippa has even done that, absent

Why is it that anyone who has ever cooked a cupcake or made a bucket of stew thinks she is an expert?