In this chat, Richard Madeley, a seasoned presenter and journalist, shares delightful stories from his childhood, including a fondness for Heinz tomato soup and his mother's unique tuna casserole. He humorously argues for fish paste as the ultimate comfort food. Richard also reflects on the challenges of maintaining a healthy diet while working early morning shifts in broadcasting. With a mix of nostalgia and humor, he dives into how family meals shaped his culinary tastes and career in journalism.
Richard Madeley's childhood food memories emphasize the importance of family gatherings and mealtime traditions, fostering structure and respect in his upbringing.
His journey from relying on takeaways to becoming a confident home cook highlights the transformative power of shared culinary experiences and nostalgia.
Deep dives
Formative Food Memories
Richard Madeley shares his earliest food memories, highlighting Heinz tomato soup as a significant dish from his childhood, where he enjoyed adding pieces of bread. He fondly recalls his mother's signature dish, a tuna fish casserole, despite its unpopularity with his family. The casserole, a mix of tuna, crushed crisps, and chicken soup topped with more crisps, reflects the 1960s culinary style. Despite the mixed reactions from his children, Richard takes pleasure in cooking this dish today, revealing a connection to his childhood experiences.
The Discipline of Mealtime
Growing up, Richard's family maintained disciplined mealtime traditions, always gathering at the table regardless of the dish served. He describes his home environment as a blend of formality and warmth, with expectations to speak in received pronunciation while at home, contrasting his natural Essex accent. Richard emphasizes that proper table settings were the norm, including napkins for every meal, even something as simple as soup. This routine instilled a sense of structure and respect for mealtime, shaping his views on family gatherings.
Transition to Cooking
At 17, Richard transitioned to a more independent lifestyle while working as a political editor, subsisting mainly on takeaways and pub food. He fondly recalls a particularly memorable steak and kidney pie from a pub run by a widower named Alf, which became his go-to during his time at the local paper. The turning point for Richard's cooking came when he moved to Carlisle and started sharing meal preparation with his first wife, experimenting with recipes from his mother. This period marked his genuine interest in cooking, transforming him into a confident home cook.
Comfort Food and Culinary Preferences
Richard identifies comfort food as sardine and tomato fish paste sandwiches, a nostalgic treat from his childhood that he enjoys in private to avoid scaring off others with the smell. He admits to having a sweet tooth, although he prefers shop-bought desserts rather than making them himself, enjoying treats from Marks & Spencer. When it comes to family dinners, Richard finds joy in preparing traditional Sunday roasts, although he does not shy away from convenient ready meals during busy weeks. For his ultimate meal, Richard chooses his mother's tuna fish casserole, emphasizing its special place in his heart despite its unglamorous ingredients.
Richard Madeley is a presenter, author and journalist who has been on our screens since the 1980s, most notably presenting This Morning with his wife Judy and more recently on Good Morning Britain.
On the podcast, he discusses his early memories of Heinz tomato soup, implores Lara and Liv to try 'tuna casserole' – his mother’s speciality made from tinned tuna, canned soup and crisps – and makes the case for fish paste as the 'food of the gods'.
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