Jennifer's Diary: By One Fat Lady

by Jennifer Paterson

Jennifer Paterson's diary has been a popular feature in THE OLDIE since the magazine's launch in 1992. This selection includes over 100 recipes from the master chef. Jennifer Mary Paterson (1928-1999) was a British celebrity chef, actress and television personality who appeared on the television program Two Fat Ladies with Clarissa Dickson Wright. The pair were famous for their rich traditional meals made from scratch. She was diagnosed with cancer in July 1999 and died a month later in London.

Paperback

First published September 26, 1997

Reviews

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found in my local charity shop where the people who run it are all a bit loopy...l couldn't resist! Jennifer has such a delightful bluntness in her observations in the way that only posh old ladies can get away with! Turns out she lived near my old flat in Pimlico and used to shop at the market at the end of my street. Small world.

Very amusing little book, which is a collection of her columns for The Oldie written between 1992 and 1996. Not much has changed with the National Rail...although there are no smoking carriages any more, which she'd highly disapprove of I'm sure...and I love how she describes parts of London and its establishments that I've come to know and love. The first time she tries McDonalds is also hilarious!

Anyone who remembers The Two Fat Ladies with affection will enjoy this. Worth seeking out if you're a fan.

[Nancy Thormann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got the complete set of the Two Fat Ladies dvds. I love the shows. I was looking for something on Amazon about Clarissa Dickson Wright and came across this book by Jennifer Paterson. I enjoyed the book as much as I enjoy watching the dvds. You can hear Jennifer's voice throughout the book.

[Phillip Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Jennifer Patterson and was excited to find this book. I bought it, not really knowing what to expect. It is a slim paperback volume (112 pages) that consists of columns that she wrote for "The Oldie", a UK magazine. Most of the entries describe functions that she attended and the foods she ate (she went to lots of parties, dinners and luncheons). She also talks a lot about churches and religious events (Catholic), which I'm totally not interested in, but you can hear her loud and clear. Some occasional fun items, like her first meal at a McDonald's and her and her uncle's reaction to the first "Absolutely Fabulous" episode. Each entry contains a recipe, almost always involving something I would never eat (liver, rabbit, etc.) but interesting to read about, nevertheless. Wonderful illustrations by Robert Geary.