“When I was paralysed by polio at 13, I went into an isolation hospital and couldn't sit up, so I only took liquid food from spouted cups which the masked nurses would bring in and feed to me. I saw my parents only through glass; we couldn't touch.”

English food writer, chef, baker and television presenter

Mary Berry is an English food writer, chef, baker and television presenter. Born Mary Rosa Alleyne Hunnings, she built a career in food after studying catering and later training at Le Cordon Bleu in France. Encouraged by domestic science classes at school, she went on to work in several cooking-related roles. She is widely known for her work across writing, cookery, baking, and television.