Margie’s castaway this week is Esther Walker.
Known professionally as Esther Walker and sometimes as Esther Coren, she writes for publications including The Times, Grazia, The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mail. Her byline appears across a wide range of outlets and she has built a loyal readership through columns, blogs and books.
Esther is married to Times restaurant critic Giles Coren and they have two children. Alongside her journalism, she has created two notable blogs and published two books, earning a devoted following for her warm, witty and candid voice.
On the podcast we talk about the changing landscape of blogging, the surprising realities of cooking for a restaurant critic, and what it’s like to be an early pioneer in online food writing. Esther is funny, frank and generous with practical tips that make her feel immediate and relatable.
Her Desert Island Dishes reveal a love of bold, comforting flavours and simple techniques that elevate everyday ingredients. One favourite features sausages, cabbage and butter — a testament to the power of a few great components. Another is an aromatic pork belly hot pot, a showstopping dinner-party dish that combines rich textures and fragrant spices.
She also reminds us to celebrate cavolo nero: although technically a cabbage, when fried with pancetta it becomes anything but humble. Small details like that — the right salt, the crisping of greens in a hot pan, a finishing pat of butter — are the kinds of tricks Esther shares that can transform a home meal into something memorable.
Desert Island Dish: Egg roll, then a pizza. These would be followed by banana fritters from Singapore Garden near Swiss Cottage, served with ice cream and honey. All topped off with a Pisco Sour.
You can listen to Esther’s conversation and her Desert Island Dishes on Apple Podcasts using the player above.
Hope you enjoy!
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