Delia Smith, born in Woking, Surrey, rose to fame as one of Britain’s most famous television chefs. She is famous for her down-to-earth and approachable approach to cooking.
She initially started her career with humble beginnings as a dishwasher and waitress. However, her determination to learn how to cook led her to a successful position as cooking editor for the Daily Mirror in 1969.
She is also known for helping popularize the idea of cooking for one, and her iconic series on Christmas cooking remains a popular topic of interest during the holiday season.
File
- Full name: Delia Ann Smith
- Date of birth: June 18, 1941
- Age: 83 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Woking, Surrey, England
- Nationality: English
- Occupation: Chef, TV presenter, Author
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Not applicable
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Michael Wynn-Jones
- Children: Not applicable
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Anglican
- Ethnicity: English
- Net worth: £30 million
Early life and education
Delia Smith is 83 years old this year. She was born on 18 June 1941 in Woking, Surrey, but she grew up in Kent, where she spent her early years. Delia didn’t have a traditional path into the world of cooking; she left school at 16 without gaining any qualifications.
After a series of odd jobs, including hairdressing and working at a travel agency, Delia discovered her love for cooking while trying to impress her then-boyfriend. She started working at a small restaurant called The Singing Chef in Paddington, starting as a dishwasher before moving into cooking.
She began studying cookbooks in the British Museum’s Reading Room to hone her cooking skills. Her Anglican faith plays an important role in her life and she remains open about its influence on her career and personal decisions.
Delia’s cooking education came from practical experience rather than formal schooling, but her curiosity and determination to master the art of British cuisine shaped her journey to becoming a self-taught chef.
Personal life
Delia Smith married Michael Wynn-Jones, her editor at the Daily Mirror, in 1971. The couple have been together for more than five decades and have shared a fruitful partnership both personally and job.
Michael has played a key role in supporting Delia’s career, including co-owning football club Norwich City FC, where Delia is also a major shareholder.
Delia is a private person who prefers to keep most of her personal life private from the public. She has no children. Her marriage to Michael remained strong and they continued to live a quiet life, away from the spotlight, although they were occasionally seen together attending Norwich City football matches.
Career
Delia’s career began with a column in the Daily Mirror in 1969, and from there, her influence in the culinary world expanded rapidly. In 1973, she moved into television, hosting the BBC’s Family Fare, a series that taught basic cooking techniques to a wide audience.
Over the next several decades, Delia authored many best-selling cookbooks, including How to Cheat at Cooking (1971) and the highly successful Delia’s How to Cook series of the late 1990s and the early 2000s.
Her cooking shows, known for their straightforward style and emphasis on simplifying complex recipes, were watched by millions. Delia’s ability to connect with home cooks and give them trustworthy and accessible advice is key to her success.
She is also known for popularizing certain ingredients, such as cranberries and Italian olive oil, which have become staples in largely UK kitchens. It’s because of her influence. Besides her culinary business, Delia is also closely associated with Norwich City FC, where she acts as a major shareholder along with her husband.
Prize
- – Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1995
- – Member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in 2013
- – National Television Special Award 2008
Net worth
Delia Smith’s net worth is estimated to be around £30 million. Her wealth comes from best-selling cookbooks, successful TV shows and investments, including her role as majority shareholder of Norwich City Football Club.
Argumentative
Despite her widespread popularity, Delia Smith cannot avoid controversy. One of her most publicized moments occurred in 2005 during a Norwich City football match. Disappointed with her team’s performance, Delia took the microphone during halftime and famously shouted, “Let’s ‘avin’ you!” to gather fans.
Despite its good intentions, the incident went viral and has been ridiculed and celebrated in the British media ever since. The incident highlights Delia’s passionate nature but also raises questions about her role at the football club.
Delia faced criticism in the culinary world for her 2008 book How to Cheat at Cooking, which encouraged the use of prepared ingredients and shortcuts in cooking.
Some critics say this approach undermines the authenticity of cooking from scratch, a hallmark of her previous work. Delia defends her position, saying the book is aimed at busy people who still want to prepare meals at home but need quicker options.
Social Media
- – Instagram: Not applicable
- – Twitter: Not applicable
Cinema
- – Family Fare (BBC1, 1973-1975)
- – Delia Smith’s cooking course (BBC2, 1978-1980)
- – Delia Smith’s Christmas (BBC, 1990)
- – Delia’s Cooking (BBC2, 1998-2001)
Book
- – How to Cheat When Cooking (1971)
- – Delia Smith’s cooking course (1978)
- – One is Fun! (1985)
- – Delia Smith’s Christmas (1990)
- – Delia Smith Summer Collection (1993)
- – Delia’s Cooking: Book 1 (1998)
- – Delia’s Cooking: Book Two (1999)
- – Delia’s Cooking: Book Three (2001)
- – Delia Vegetarian Collection (2002)
