Victoria
As the daughter of an army officer, Victoria travelled extensively as a child. As part of her parents peripatetic lifestyle, she was introduced to the concept of food and entertaining at an early age by her mother who was a wonderful cook and hostess. Having been brought up in various countries she was always fascinated by all the different foods available. She spent much time accompanying her mother hand in hand, to the local markets to buy food and flowers. Once home, she watched and helped her mother prepare the many family get-togethers and dinner parties, from setting the table to stirring the pot! As a young girl, many an evening was spent, secretly at the top of the stairs, observing the fun and laughter of the guests below. Good food and its presentation have always been of great interest to her. But also food that people really want to eat, be it family dinners or more formal affairs.

After stints of working in Hong Kong and New York in the fashion and retail industries, she returned to London to study at Christies. In both her childhood and adulthood she has been continually inspired by the places she has visited and the people she has met. She set up her Design business in 1997. She is married with two children and divides her time between her homes in Norfolk and London and spends many happy days cooking for family and friends.

It has always been a dream of hers to produce a book with all the anecdotal recipes and design ideas that she has collected over the years. Lucinda, a friend of old, had always shared the same
passions for food and entertaining. It was over a weekend in Norfolk, that they both realised that they shared the same dream and decided to write a book together.

Lucinda
Lucinda's love of good food was ignited when she spent part of her childhood in the South of France. Even school food there was always delicious! She then returned to England and spent many happy times with her Grandfather, who had the most phenomenal cook called Miss Horsley. It was she, who further fuelled her love of cooking. Every visit was anticipated with much excitement at the prospect of fabulous food! She not only taught her the concept of using the best seasonal ingredients but also that presentation was key.

At university in Paris, she was further inspired, not only by the cuisine but also by the sophistication of European hosts. She returned to London to work in the contemporary art world. She also pursued her interest in food by enrolling on a cookery course with Betsey Newell who introduced her to the teachings of chefs all over the world. She has also lived in Australia and Hong Kong both of which were great culinary influences. Lucinda is married with three children and divides her time between London and Wiltshire where she happily entertains friends and children for cosy kitchen suppers as well as more formal affairs in the dining room.

Lucinda and Victoria's friendship goes back many years after they met in Hong Kong. Both families have spent many happy weekends in each others homes. They discovered a mutual admiration for each others way of entertaining and would often compare notes and swap disaster stories.

Many request for recipes from others, have inspired her and Victoria, who shares her love for food and entertaining, to create this book.

Mark Cator - The Photographer
Mark Cator worked with the BBC, The Independent, Observer and Sunday Telegraph Magazines. His photo-documentaries include The Rise and Fall of Ceausescu, Cuba the Colour of a Revolution, and Blackpool the Art of Entertainment. In 1999 he had a solo exhibition, Land to Landscape and a joint Exhibition, Keepers of the Kingdom, at the National Portrait Gallery. In 2002 he published Keepers of the Kingdom, in 2005 Marshland and in 2006 Hinterland. In 2004 he gained a BA Hons. in Cultural Studies and Creative Writing at the Norwich School of Art. Born in 1960.