FirstWord ALLEGRA MCEVEDY
BBC presenter and chef Allegra McEvedy talks hangovers, Top Gun and impromptu purchases of Judy Garland photos First record you ever bought Ian Jury and the Blockheads’ ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’.
First great piece of advice you were given When my mum died. Somebody said: ‘It doesn’t get easier.’ They were right. Last time you were star struck We were at the Time Out Awards; that woman from the Green Wing was there. I absolutely love her, so went over to tell her that and made a right tit of myself.
Last time you were chatted up I don’t think I’ve ever been chatted up. I’m more of a predator. First thing you’d do if you ran the country Get rid of all the politicians and replace them with real people.
First film you saw that really moved you I think it was a film called The Pit Pony. It was about ponies that worked down a mine. I think one got blinded – I was only six; it was pretty emotional.
What would your last meal on earth be? It would involve a pig. You can’t beat a pork chop. First song you would sing at karaoke ‘Born to be Wild’.
Last lie you told Yesterday when I said I’d be back for tea in half an hour . . . even though I knew I couldn’t be. Last time you exploited your position to get something On principal I don’t do that.
First movie you ever went on a date to Top Gun. I snogged him all the way through it. First thing you do when you’ve got time off work I head to the airport.
Last time someone criticised your work Bad reviews hurt. One Evening Standard critic wrote ‘I can’t understand why she’s so popular’, which I suppose you could call a back- handed compliment. Or just think that he’s a wanker.
Last great meal you cooked I cooked a pretty good one yesterday: grilled sardines, with barley and beetroot salad. Last extravagant purchase you made A holiday: my wife’s 30th. I took her to Champagne in France.
First crush My games teacher in primary school.
First concert you ever attended Queen at Wembley. It was right before they were huge and absolutely brilliant. would use to describe you Energetic, generous, pushy.
Last time you made an impulse buy and regretted it Last week I was at a charity event and bought a signed photo of Judy Garland for £1000. First three words your friends
Last time you bought someone flowers Yesterday. I sent them to my photographer to say thank you for doing a great job. First thing you think of when you wake up in the morning
Have I got a hangover? Last thing you think of or do before you go to sleep Jot things down for the next day.
■ Economy Gastronomy, BBC2, Wednesdays, 8pm. The accompanying book is out Mon 17 Aug, published by Penguin/Michael Joseph.
WeLike The things making our world just that little bit better
■ This week, we’ve been mostly trying to cheer up a self- obsessed robotic musician. As you do. Cybraphon, the newest little bit of wonder from madcap Edinburgh geniuses Found, might look like a steampunk water closet, but
like any good modern citizen, this ‘Autonomous Emotional Robot Band’ obessesively monitors its own Google rankings, Twitter coverage and Facebook fans, and then composes music according to its self-esteem. As we write this, it seems to be quite depressed (we know, because it writes its own Twitter feed. Eat yer heart out, Kutcher.) Cheer it up at cybraphon.com.
We’ve also been developing snog anxiety, thanks to the
brilliantly-written everyonei everkissed. wordpress.com, the story of one Edinburgher’s adult life told through a series of romantic (or not) encounters that’s already well into triple figures. Finally, some of us are saluting the return of the colour beige to the fashion spectrum. Not all of us, likes. We’re a diverse office.
2 THE LIST 6–13 Aug 2009