In alphabetical order….
Carmen Callil, Founder of Virago, publisher and author:
“Robin Ellis learned to cook at his mother’s knee. This unique book is rich with a lifetime’s experience of wonderful cooking in the Mediterranean way. His recipes open up a world of delicious, healthy eating which everyone will love.
An instant classic.”
Carmen Callil
Brian Cox, Emmy award-winning Scottish actor (Rob Roy, Brave Heart, The Bourne Supremacy, Royal Shakespeare Company):
“Of course I am biased! Robin is a very old and dear friend! Even so, he is simply one of the best cooks ever. Why? His cuisine is always a delicious culinary paradox–strong and delicate with an exquisite balance of flavours. One of the
truly great treats of my life is a meal prepared by Robin – with the commitment, love and detail of a great actor preparing for a classical role. Once tasted, never forgotten!”
Brian Cox & Robin Ellis at Castres market
Donald Douglas, Actor (Poldark, Bridget Jone’s Diary, Monarch of the Glen)
“Robin and I are old friends–or should I say enemies–from Poldark days. As Captain McNeill, I was constantly trying–and failing–to catch up with him and throw him into prison! Today I’m trying to catch up with his expertise in the kitchen! I’m now somewhat embarrassed when I have to say yet again: “This is delicious! Can I have the recipe?”. His cooking is superb! Wonderful flavours, textures and presentation. His cook book is a must for those who love their food, but also like to stay healthy!”
Donald Douglas/ Photo by Liza Douglas
Lindsay Duncan, CBE, Tony Award-winning actress (Rome, Mansfield Park, Les Liaisons Dangereuses for the Royal Shakespeare Company)
“Robin is the perfect cook to have as a friend. He loves food, cooks superbly and likes nothing more than sharing his food with as many people as he can get round a table. Generosity is at the heart of good cooking and Robin cooks to give pleasure. It always works.”
Lindsay Duncan
Louise Fletcher, Academy Award-winning actress (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest):
“Robin’s cooking and Robin’s recipes: simple, fresh and simply glorious. To have Sunday lunch at Robin’s and to go home with his recipes is the perfect southwest France Sunday. Oh, let there be many more Sundays in the kitchen with Robin. ”
Donald Douglas & Louise Fletcher
Romaine Hart, cinema-owner (Screen on the Green/the Hill/Baker Street):
“Robin’s cooking did what five different medications failed to do: bring down my high blood pressure. I suffered a stroke and no medication brought my blood pressure below 177/70. After staying only one week with Robin and eating his
delicious meals, it came down to 120/59. Now home, my challenge is to reproduce his way of eating. With the help of this cook book, I am sure I can.”
Sir Derek Jacobi, actor (Emmy, BAFTA, Olivier and Tony Awards):
“While not suffering from diabetes myself, I can highly recommend Robin’s delicious recipes, some of which I have had the pleasure of sampling at his table in France. The recipes have all the richness of classical Mediterranean cooking. Enjoy yourselves as I have with this mouth-watering cornucopia!”
Imelda Staunton & Sir Derek Jacobi
Michael Pennington, actor (Co-founder of The English Shakespeare Company, Star Wars) and author:
“Robin Ellis has the gift of writing recipes that you can taste as you read them. As if his acting weren’t enough, he’s now given us a marvelous book – without any pretension or carry-on, just deep affection and knowledge. Absolutely delicious.”
Robin Ellis & Michael Pennington
Eva Marie Saint, Hollywood legend, Academy-Award and Emmy winner:
“Robin Ellis is a superb chef! His cookbook is filled with delicious and healthy recipes even for people like me who are not diabetics.”
Robin, Eva Marie Saint and her husband Jeff
Tim Pigott-Smith, actor (Shakespeare, Jewel in the Crown, The Remains of the Day):
“It is always a joy to visit Le Presbytère. It is the most beautiful house, which reflects the calm of its isolated position and the nearby chapel. At the centre of this old building – whose thick walls guarantee that you can find relative cool even on the hottest day – is the small crowded kitchen. The sight of Robin – fully apronned, glasses strung round his neck, peacefully looking for spices, strolling out into the courtyard for a fresh fig to enliven a salad, or hunched over a saucepan stirring a fortifying soup – is surprising for anyone who remembers him striding across the stage at Stratford, or riding round Cornwall. However, it is here where he has truly found himself, in this house and in this room. As my wife Pam and I have been privileged to do many times, you can now enjoy its proceeds.”
Meredith & Robin, Pam Miles & Tim Piggott-Smith
Imelda Staunton, BAFTA Award-winning actress (Harry Potter, Vera Drake, Taking Woodstock, Cranford) :
“How can food this good be this good for you!”
Imelda Staunton
Timberlake Wertenbaker, playwright (Our Country’s Good, The Love of the Nightingale, Three Birds Alighting on a Field):
“I’ve used Robin’s recipes again and again. They’re elegant, delicious, imaginative and easy to use. The Basques are great cooks and giving a dinner in the Basque Country is scary. One also eats very late so no one wants anything too heavy. I always use one of Robin’s recipes and end up with nothing but compliments and a demand for the recipe. ‘An English woman who can cook tuna!’ someone said to me in complete astonishment. Of course, the recipe was Robin’s.”
Timberlake Wertenbaker & Robin Ellis
Gawd, Robin, just looking at your website is making my mouth water…reminding me of the sumptuous meals I have had at your house. You are beyond a “cook,” you are an artist in the kitchen whose artistry begins before you even step into the kitchen…the trips to the market in Castres, the walks for fresh walnuts, the air and the soil in the Tarn. I have seen you at the market, selecting from the freshest produce, conversing with the farmers, stewing in your milieu…that’s where it all starts, doesn’t it? Slow food. And from there, Harry Potter steps into the kitchen! Shazam! And now you have produced a cookbook of some of your recipes. All I can say is: Wow, I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
[...] lot of celebrities have endorsed the book and your cooking. Now that you have gone from cooking for friends to becoming a published chef, do you feel an extra [...]
Many Happy Returns Of The Day – good health and long life to you.
I am working my way through your cookbook, one recipe at a time. I can tell you in all honesty that everything I have tried so far has been excellent!
Thanks Lynn-Steven–that’s so nice to hear.
Can I come and live with you!? Looks like a little piece of heaven….
A delight to discover this blog and to learn that one of my favourite Actors is still thriving. Many (blue) moons ago when working with Jack on Prime Suspect I mentioned that I found Poldark an excellent restorative when blocked, blue or simply beleaguered: the TV equivalent of Comfort Food. I do believe I shall have to attempt some of your Delicious Dishes. Say Hi to Jack for me … very best wishes, P. B.
I just finished watching Poldark on DVD. I wish there had been more episodes. I went on your website and am going to purchase your book. I was sad to hear of Angharad’s passing as I was just beginning to enjoy her acting in Poldark. I’m from Pennsyvania USA and wondered where your wife is from in USA.
Thanks Linda–I’m glad you enjoyed it. Meredith grew up in Chicago.
Meredith writing: Not really downtown Chicago, Linda! It was Northfield–a suburb north of the city.
What amazing pic’s! When i was a little girl i saw “Poldark” with my Mom.Laugh…Ross was my first love.
) Wonderful memories! It’s so interesting to read all this. My husband loves to cook and we read always together your new recipes!
I just finished watching Poldark on Netflix. I loved it. Wish there were more episodes. Couldn’t get enough, so I looked up Robin and Angharad to find out more about them. I’m looking for more movies that I can watch them in. GOOD STUFF!
I just recently purchased both the paperback and the nook versions of “Delicious Dishes for Diabetics”. The nook version is also displayed on my iphone. So, when I go to the grocery store – my grocery needs are listed on my iphone via your cook book. I am not diabetic; however, members of my family have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I’m hoping that by adopting better eating habits, I might be spared that diagnosis.
The temperature in Wellston, Ohio is currently 26 degrees fahrenheit…….the White Bean and Parsley Soup recipe from your cookbook will be a good meal for the evening.
Thank-you for taking the time to share your recipes.
Hello Bess and welcome! I’m happy to hear the book is coming in handy. As you can see the recipes are good for the whole family–so you as someone who doesn’t have diabetes doesn’t need to feel deprived.
Nor do those with the condition!
Hello Robin,
I was a bit too young to appreciate Poldark in the 70′s, but I saw it on a TV channel about 6 years ago and loved it. I’ve just bought both DVD’s of series 1 and 2. It’s a wonderful piece of work. I just love the combination of the scenery, the storylines, the great characters and wonderful acting of all the cast. You can really feel the chemistry and emotion of all that went on. Nothing on the TV today compares in my opinion.
Do you still keep in touch with any of the cast of yesteryear?
It was really sad to hear the passing of Angharad and Richard Morant.
Best of luck with your book too.
Thanks for your good wishes,
Nigel.
I met David Delve the other night. Haven’t seen him for years. He plays one of Demelza’s Methody brothers in series two.
And Daisy Bates–Ralph’s daughter. I witnessed her first steps all those years ago.
Robin, I love your series Poldark. I have fallen in love with you. I can’t say that it is an old ladies whim, because I was born in 43 and you know what that would mean! I do enjoy your and Demelza’ s parts. Such a great love story, didn’t want it to end. Thanks to you and all the cast.
Thank you Glenda! and welcome. I’m so pleased the story holds up for you.