WHILE galloping gourmets, naked chefs and celebrity cooks of all talents have come and gone, Mary Berry has quietly continued cooking for the nation.

She’s 77, has published more than 50 cookery books and sold more than five million copies of her helpful publications.

She worked for a variety of organisations demonstrating food before getting her TV break and has more recently become a judge on The Great British Bake-Off.

Mary has just been named as one of a clutch of famous chefs coming to Bolton’s very successful Food and Drink Festival this August and she’s very welcome here.

She’s alongside current culinary luminaries James Martin, Michael Caines, Paul Hollywood and Jean- Christophe Novelli.

She doesn’t throw tantrums or rant and rave and I suspect the only f-word she uses in public is flambé.

She is, however, rightly described as the Queen of Baking and she’s dedicated her working life to ensuring that the rest of us are able to cook delicious dishes with her gentle, informative guidance.

Long may her fancy breads rise and her pastry crumble delightfully!