Joffre White, 64, is an author and Swindon's patron of reading and writing

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

We love dinner parties with friends or family. Sometimes my wife will let me cook!

My favourite, failsafe dish is pan-fried scallops with gremolata and tomato concassé.

Where do you like to eat out? How often?

A good Indian or Thai restaurant - for special occasions.

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

Fresh whitebait, grilled king prawns with ginger and garlic and crème brûlée.

Which foods did you hate as a child? Do you eat them now?

Mashed swede or turnip – yuck! I still can’t eat them.

What is your favourite drink? Alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

A nice gin and tonic (or two) or tomato juice and Worcester sauce.

Marmite: yes or no?

Marmite on toast. Yum!

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

Marzipan covered in dark chocolate.

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

A nice strong farmhouse cheese with crackers and pickles.

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

I don’t eat meat, so veggie bacon with brown sauce.