Alexis Thompson, 50, owner of Dancing Trousers Cookery School, near Lechlade, tells us about her life with food

Do you cook a lot yourself? What is your failsafe dish?

Yes, all the time, it goes with the territory! My great standby dish is kedgeree made with a soft poached egg on top.

Where do you like to eat out? How often?

I eat out around twice or three times a month, more if I'm writing a review. I like really good pub food and relaxed restaurants, no pretension, just good flavours, well cooked. You can’t beat a really good risotto or a fabulous home-made burger and fat chips. My dream is to go to Le Manoir, I’m still waiting for someone to ask me!

What do you always hope to find on a menu? For starter? Main course? Dessert?

I look for menus that haven’t got too many choices, that’s a good thing. It means chef can concentrate on making every dish good. If you see 100 choices on a menu, be suspicious. I like terrines for a starter or a really good chicken liver parfait, a fish main course is always tempting and I love crab so if I see that on a menu it’s a done deal. This time of year I’d go for summer pudding with clotted cream, but in the winter maybe a baked cheesecake or sticky toffee pudding with ice cream.

Which foods did you hate as a child?

I hated broad beans until just a few years ago, then when I was training we used them in a dish and took them out of those tough white skins they have. What a revelation, they’re fabulous! I've never learned to love kidneys though.

What’s your favourite drink?

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Easy – champagne every time. Non alcoholic – elderflower cordial.

Marmite: yes or no?

Marmite rocks! I love it. Especially on toasted soldiers with boiled eggs. And it’s brilliant mixed with peanut butter on toast too – trust me!

What’s your guilty pleasure when it comes to food...something you know you shouldn’t eat, but do anyway?

Maltesers, I know they’re full of nonsense but I adore them. I put them in the fridge to get cold then indulge. Do you think Mars will send me a load now?!

You are on your own at home watching a film. What is your snack of choice?

I try really hard not to succumb to snacking but I had a bag of that new salt sweet popcorn that Heston did for Waitrose and I could see myself getting addicted.

You are eating a bacon sandwich... ketchup, brown sauce or nothing at all?

Ketchup every time. And super crispy bacon, can’t bear it flabby.