What's the best meal you've had? Very hard to answer this question, but recently it would have to be a tomato salad fresh from my parents' garden in France.
What's the worst meal you've had? Macaroni cheese and peas in Fort William. So much cheese and so little flavour. I don't know how they managed to get it quite so dry and the peas were offensive weapons.
What's in your fridge? A bottle of champagne, capers, anchovies, cabbage, a leek, garlic, ginger, English mustard – and a little bit of 70 per cent dark chocolate.
What's your hangover fix? A pint glass full of ice with a can of Irn-Bru poured over it.
What's your most useful kitchen utensil? A heat-proof spatula – I don't believe in leaving anything in the bowl for the kids to lick out.
Do you have a guilty pleasure? A cheeky 17-year-old – a 17-year-old Glengoyne whisky, that is. Appropriate at any time.
What's your classic stand-by recipe? Risotto made with anything that's left in the fridge. Leftovers are also great for soup.
Who would you invite to a fantasy dinner party? I don't do fantasy, I live in the real world, but if you want an answer – all the people who have supported me in my career. It would have to be a barbecue though as there are so many of them.
What food says 'home' to you? Baked onions and cheese sauce (made by my mother).
Have you ever been on a diet? Never.
What's the one food that makes you feel better? A bloody good steak, pin-end of the rump, pink.
Do you eat airline food? Of course, if it's free – but I would never eat the bread.
Do you buy organic? Not as a rule but I do have an organic garden.
How tidy is your kitchen? Come and have a look – there are no secrets here.
• This article was first published in Scotsman on Sunday on 10 January, 2010.
Val says We need the recipe, Tom's favourite baked onions and cheese sauce, Jean
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