Well, I'd like to say first that there are no hard feelings between me and the lads. The press overhyped the whole episode at the time. I think the real reason I felt I had to go was I was gettin kind of fed up of the whole dough scene. Around that time I started experimenting with pastries and I kind o' got groovy with that. It was a difficult time for pastries back in the late 80's, what with all the doughnuts and bagels coming from the US, we really had a hard time in the UK baking scene. The part of the split that the press really picked up on was really only a minor idealogical argument me and the boys had about nature versus nurture in the social condition, that's all..

About the latest tour, which is fantastic I must add, there's been some critism over your use of cherries and other "bourgeouise" fruits that you have been using. Can you comment on that?

I think there are too many "old style" socialist bakers out there. Things have come a long way since the grim 80's. I mean, do we really wanna go back to the days when the only fruit you'd get in a pie was orange peel or currants? No, I see cherries as been an ingredient that has helped to gain a younger following in the baking scene and will help the movement evolve to fit the needs of the 21st century appetite.

And finally, what about the future?

I think the recent improvisational scene around caramel is really exciting. I see that as being the way forward. Currently I've been playing around with a fusion of caramel and oats which has proved to be really tasty!

Well thankyou very much! I look forward to sampling your exceedingly good creations in the future!

©2003 Pastry Zine    last update : 1 January 2003