Mary Berry

Introduction

Mary Berry: A British Culinary Icon

Mary Berry at the Chelsea Flower Show 2017.

Mary Berry is a British food writer, television presenter, and cookbook author. She is best known for her role as a judge on the popular television show The Great British Bake Off. Berry has had a long and successful career in the food industry, and her influence has been felt not just in the UK but worldwide.

Early Life and Career

Mary Berry was born on March 24, 1935, in Bath, Somerset, England. She was the second of three children, and her father was a surveyor. Berry attended Bath High School, where she developed a passion for cooking. After leaving school, she studied catering and institutional management at Bath College of Domestic Science.

Berry's first job was at the Bath Electricity Board Showroom, where she worked in the demonstration kitchen. She then moved to France, where she studied at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris. On her return to the UK, Berry became a food writer, and in 1966, she published her first cookbook, The Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook.

Career Highlights

Berry's career has been marked by a number of significant achievements. In the 1970s, she was the cookery editor of Housewife magazine, and in the 1980s, she became a regular contributor to the BBC's flagship food program, Food and Drink. Berry also hosted her own cooking show, Mary Berry Cooks, which aired from 2014 to 2016.

However, Berry is perhaps best known for her role as a judge on The Great British Bake Off. She joined the show in 2010, and her warm and supportive manner quickly made her a favorite with viewers. Berry continued to judge the show until its move to Channel 4 in 2017.

Legacy and Awards

Berry's influence on the food industry has been recognized with a number of awards and honors. In 2012, she was awarded a CBE for her services to culinary arts. She has also been inducted into the Guild of Food Writers Hall of Fame and has been awarded the National Book Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.

Berry's cookbooks are also widely celebrated, with many becoming bestsellers. Her most popular titles include Mary Berry's Baking Bible, Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook, and Mary Berry's Family Sunday Lunches.

Personal Life

Berry married Paul John March Hunnings in 1966, and the couple had three children together. Hunnings passed away in 2019. Berry is also a grandmother and has spoken publicly about the importance of spending time with family.

Bibliography

Berry has written numerous cookbooks throughout her career, including:

The Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook (1966) Fast Cakes (1981) Classic (1994) At Home (1996) The Aga Book (1997) Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book (1998) Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook (1999) Cook Now, Eat Later (2001) Mary Berry's Christmas Collection (2007) Mary Berry's Baking Bible (2009) Mary Berry at Home (2013) Mary Berry Cooks the Perfect (2014) Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites (2015) Mary Berry Everyday (2017)

Philanthropy

Berry has also been involved in a number of charitable causes throughout her career. In 2014, she became a patron of Child Bereavement UK, a charity that supports families who have lost a child. Berry has also been involved with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and in 2016, she helped launch their Fish Supper campaign to raise funds for the charity.

Bibliography

Berry has written numerous cookbooks throughout her career, including:

The Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook (1966) Fast Cakes (1981) Classic (1994) At Home (1996) The Aga Book (1997) Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book (1998) Mary Berry's Complete Cookbook (1999) Cook Now, Eat Later (2001) Mary Berry's Christmas Collection (2007) Mary Berry's Baking Bible (2009) Mary Berry at Home (2013) Mary Berry Cooks the Perfect (2014) Mary Berry's Absolute Favourites (2015) Mary Berry Everyday (2017)

Philanthropy

Berry has also been involved in a number of charitable causes throughout her career. In 2014, she became a patron of Child Bereavement UK, a charity that supports families who have lost a child. Berry has also been involved with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and in 2016, she helped launch their Fish Supper campaign to raise funds for the charity.

Conclusion

Mary Berry's contributions to the culinary world have been significant and far-reaching. Her warm and supportive style has won her a legion of fans, and her cookbooks continue to inspire generations of home cooks. Berry's legacy as a culinary icon is secure, and her influence is likely to be felt for many years to come.

External Links

Mary Berry's official website Mary Berry's profile on BBC Food Child Bereavement UK

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