Nigel Slater makes me angry.

[CatMumsw]

Just had to sit through one of his shows with my mum, who really likes him. There's something about his tone of voice, vocabulary choices and even the styling of the cooking programme that makes me want to tear my hair out.

I'm sure he's a nice enough man, but he comes across as a smarmy, self-satisfied twat. Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks this!

[Oblomov21]

He lives a life most of us can't relate to. He wanders down to the market, sees some pigs trotters or beef escalope and then creates parsnips, real cranberries or pickled herring to go with it. Some of his recipes are lovely. But others can only be prepared with must forethought.

[SimonJT]

People do realise his show is carefully planned make believe by the production company right?

[Lunaballoon]

I love his writing and style of cooking and meat free meal ideas.

I agree he comes across as a bit precious, but for me he’s probably one of the most influential food writers of the past 20 years.

[Lottapianos]

'He comes across as totally superior and lacking of any awareness about how the majority of ordinary people live and eat'

Good grief. He's a food writer who lives in Islington, not a social crusader. He has never made any claims to be anything other than someone who produces enjoyable recipes for middle class people, and I say that as a big fan of his. By the way, Jamie Oliver tried to improve school dinners for kids in this country and got crucified for his troubles, so I guess you can't win

[JustMeAndWheatley]

20 off years ago, when I managed a bookshop, he came to do a talk and book signing. He was absolutely lovely. Very nice manners, very shy. Most authors were twats so he really stood out.

[jaundicedoutlook]

I quite like him, although I can see that there is a slight patina of smugness which you could definitely have a bit too much of. However, I have a few of his cookery books and I have rarely found a recipe of his that doesn’t work effectively.

I’d definitely rather have an evening round his place for dinner than the same with Jamie O or Nigella, both of whom I’d happily lock up in the freezer.

[shallIswim]

@JustMeAndWheatley

20 off years ago, when I managed a bookshop, he came to do a talk and book signing. He was absolutely lovely. Very nice manners, very shy. Most authors were twats so he really stood out.

Who were the twats?

[SamVimes6]

Totally agree with you op. He is simpering, smarmy and utterly creepy.
I don’t understand how anyone can like him, he’s so condescending and patronising.

[viques]

I love him, and his food, his small Christmas cake is my go to. I would love to sit at his table, watch him cook, then eat with him. I met him once in a garden, I had been to see the Toast play the week before so broke my rule and went up to him and told him how much I liked it, even though it has ruined walnut whips for me for life. He was very sweet.

[JustMeAndWheatley]

@shallIswim


Footballers and ex football managers who’d ‘written’ autobiographies were the worst. David Beckham, Ruud Gullit, Alex Ferguson spring to mind.
Jilly Cooper demanded we laid on very expensive champagne for her to drink and a certain type of grape (that she didn’t eat)
Self-published local authors were the worst.

[Alonelonelylonersbadidea]

I remember reading his autobiography and I couldn't even look at him again. He makes me nauseous with his Smarm. He is a self-satisfied twerp. Reminds me of perfect Peter

His pissaladière recipe was my dead best friend's favourite recipe. THAT is the only acceptable thing about Nige!

[dementedma]

He writes beautifully

[BrozTito]

Yesss name the twats

[NoProblem123]

It’s his food parcels in brown paper & string I can’t bear.

Where does he shop ? The 1800’s ?

[orchidsonabudget]

I agree op

[orchidsonabudget]

@LadyMonicaBaddingham

He does get a bit sanctimonious about the food shopping (couldn't we all if we lived in that London and worked from home so we could potter off to the deli/farmer's market/butcher every day)

But his recipes really work and the tone of his writing is lovely. Especially in Real Food and Appetite when he hasn't gone quite so mad yet...

So sanctimonious.
Someone I know was in front of him in said poncy butcher and he corrected what they ordered

[LadyJaye]

I loathe him. Everything about him gives me the creeps.

Irritatingly, though, his recipes (once you get through the inevitable purple prose) are often quite good.

I am trapped on the horns of a dilemma.

[1forAll74]

I have always liked his programmes on TV, and style of cooking. He is a good writer as well, writing about his travels and food. I like his house and garden too, all a bit quirky which is nice. Much prefer Nigel, to the un funny, and prancing about Gino de crapio types of men.

[ItsAllBlahBlahBlah]

He puts my back up. Creepy, smug, talks like he knows just everything

Just make the god damn chicken sandwich and move on...

[Twickytwo]

His book The Christmas Chronicles is wonderful. A Christmas classic. MNers love it
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/4291894-Nigel-Slaters-The-Christmas-Chronicles
I love his writing and his lifestyle

[Ninkanink]

@Twickytwo I’ve just linked to that thread ☺️

[OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow]

@SummerHouse

Imagine having sex with him.

Most of us here aren’t his type.
I love his books, Toast was fab, but I do find his programs very annoying. (“I’ll just use up the few odd slices of this ham I picked up in the little small holding in the Dordogne.”)

[Aliceclara]

Nope, he makes my skin crawl. I think he's 'fake nice' and I read his autobiography which just reinforced that. He was so unpleasant about his stepmother and of course we don't know her side of the story. It was all her fault and nothing to do it his Dad (who married her) I detect a covert narcissist

[Aliceclara]

Nothing to do WITH his Dad....

[lollipoprainbow]

The Alan Bennett of cookery!