Standing Room Only

Last weekend the AGA Total Control Van, which has now become my second home, rolled up at the Essex Spectacular, a two day event for all the family at Barleylands Farm Show Ground near Billericay. The show featured motoring displays for car fanatics and a mini big top where children could learn circus skills, but of course my place was at the Taste Village. This area was a buzz of culinary activity with many distinguished chefs taking part. Television celebrity chefs were cooking at the AGA Rangemaster Cookery Theatre. The inexhaustible Antonio Carluccio put on demonstrations right throughout the day whilst Cyrus Todiwala was hilarious, particularly when he described growing up in India: as a youngster he used to hide in the ovens of the family AGA. Only when they were turned off, mind you.