July 22, 2025

Sophie Grigson on living her Italian dream and her Mum's Sussex pond pudding

42 minutes

Food writer and broadcaster Sophie Grigson joins host, Samuel Goldsmith, to talk about her bold move to southern Italy, her deep love for regional cuisine, and the stories behind her evocative books A Curious Absence of Chickens and Exploding Tomatoes. In this warm and funny chat, she opens up about life after 60, the magic of suet puddings, culinary failures (hello, carbonised ham!), and what it’s really like to live where water comes by truck. From Chinatown cravings to the legacy of her mother, Jane Grigson, this episode is a rich plate of memory, insight, and pure food joy. Whether you're a cookbook lover, Italophile, or just curious about starting over, Sophie serves inspiration by the ladleful.

Sophie Grigson is a celebrated food writer, broadcaster, teacher, and passionate cook who moved to Puglia in spring 2019—a decision she calls her best ever. With a deep love for global cuisine, Sophie has been under Italy’s culinary spell for over 40 years, now especially drawn to Puglia’s honest, seasonal food. Her cooking is generous, informal, and rooted in local, high-quality ingredients—free-range eggs, fresh Adriatic fish, and ethically sourced meat. She has written or contributed to over 20 cookbooks, presented nine TV series, and lives in Ceglie Messapica in the Valle d’Itria. More at sophieinpuglia.com

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