Fanny Cradock, the flamboyant TV chef known for her eccentric style and love of food colouring, is set to return to BBC screens this Easter as part of an archive revival. The BBC will open its vaults to broadcast classic cookery shows from as early as 1970, charting the evolution of British tastes and TV cooking programmes.
Viewers can watch Cradock's first episode filmed in her kitchen, alongside her ever-patient husband Johnnie, where she prepares deep fat-fried cheese and breaks two eggs at once while staring intently into the camera. The series, available on BBC iPlayer from March 31, includes 50 episodes spanning decades.
Other highlights include Delia Smith's 1978 Cookery Course, which launched her into fame, and the first Chinese and Indian food shows presented by Ken Hom and Madhur Jaffrey. Modern programmes such as Levi Roots's Caribbean Food Made Easy (2009) and Lorraine Pascale's 2012 series are also featured.
Cradock, who died in 1994 aged 85, was notorious for her over-the-top wardrobe and bossy presenting style. She favoured cooking with brandy and cream, and famously used food colouring to create green mashed potato and green cheese ice cream. Her first kitchen episode includes fondue frites – cheese fondue with chips.
The BBC's move aims to compete with streaming services like Netflix and Amazon, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the nation's culinary past.
