Tess

Food Fanatic: Tess Ward

Food guru, celebrity chef, author, model, oh and did we mention podcast host? Is there no limits to Tess Ward’s talent! Apparently not, as we found out when we sat with Tess and ‘grilled her’ (excuse the pun) about her passion for food, personal life and what she would say to those of us who can’t cook. 

When did this love for food begin? 

I have always been a greedy food lover. I’m wary of all people that aren’t. Haha It’s one of the most soothing and wonderful sensory pleasures. One of my teenage memories is getting home after school and mixing hot butter and golden syrup with toasted oats and eating it. Raw flapjack mix. You wanna watch out with it though because it swells like hell in the stomach!

Were you always health conscious? 

I used to be way more so, because I had a digestion that only half worked. Nowadays I go through phases of being more concerned with what I’m eating, if I am having problems sleeping or feeling lethargic. I guess I sort of just listen to my body 

Is there anything you simply won’t eat? 

Soya. It’s an allergy thing. Not ideal 

Have you ever had a cooking disaster? What was the last thing you cooked that didn’t quite turn out as planned?

All the time. It can be hit and miss if you are throwing out something totally new. There might be an element that doesn’t work so well with the others, but it’s part of the process. 

If I was to cook for you, what would impress you? 

Haha, anything made with love and care. I’m always grateful to be fed!

Tell us your process in developing recipes? 

Seasonality of ingredients is the best starting point for any cook! Where is your food from, how far has it travelled? The closer the better!! I also I like thinking about colours on the plate and how it will look as the final dish

Tell us a little bit more about your podcast. Why did you create it? What was the general feedback? 

I’m a nosy question-asking nightmare... I always have been. I wanted to create a space that talked about some of the weird and wonderful things that go on in my head. It’s been such a joy to share space and time with some amazing people and explore these topics. Feedback is always great. I get some very funny messages !

Do you ever feel that the public interest in your love life or your fashion sense takes away from your cooking? 

I love fashion, so that part is fun. As far as everyone is concerned I’m single, and I’m perfectly happy with this! 

In general, men don’t just have top positions in professional kitchens, but they also have top positions in food media, in publishing, etc. What are your thoughts about that? Do you feel that it is changing? 

White male privilege is all pervasive in both positive and negative ways. But. If the progress in the last 100 years is anything to go on, much more change is in store.. economically, socially, politically and sadly also ecologically. 

You are a supporter of Fairtrade charity, can you tell us why this charity is so close to your heart? 

Ahhhh I love them: I rarely meet such a group of hard working, good intentioned people and the work they do is instrumental from the ground up, educating and supporting farmers, ensuring better resources and supplying high quality products to consumers. 

Your book the Naked Diet was a huge success, what compelled you to write it in the first place? are you working on another cookbook?  

It was fun. I enjoyed it. I nearly published another book a couple of years ago but other projects took priority. At the moment is is very much a manuscript in a pile on my desk.

When you are writing (cookbook or podcast topic) do you have a particular reader/listener in mind? 

Listeners are vocal on what they like and don’t like, which is helpful! Certainly it’s a combination of what I am interested in and a topic I think will be engaging to hear about 

What exciting projects are lined up? 

I’m currently doing a masters in Psychology and Neuroscience so that is taking a lot of time, but I have a few things (yet to be announced) coming up in the New Year

And finally, What would you say to those who say that they hate cooking or can’t cook? 

Don’t be scared to try and fail. Its like anything skill based, you get better the more you persevere!  

Editorial team

Words by Abier Hamedi

Photographer: Erica Bergsmeds

Stylist: Rebekah Roy

Make Up: Ninni Mighty Marklund

Hair: Steven Riashi

BTS/socials: Noha Ben Ismail

Stylist assistants: Majka Loevendahl & Ellie Cooper- Simpson

Photo assistant: Dawn P Collins