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Nigella Lawson

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Nigella Lucy Lawson
Nigella Lawson at a book signing
Born (1960-01-06) January 6, 1960 (age 64)
England London, England
Occupation(s)Television presenter, cookery writer and journalist.
SpouseCharles Saatchi
Children2 (Cosima and Bruno)
Websitewww.nigella.com

Nigella Lucy Lawson (born January 6 1960) is an English journalist, food writer, broadcaster and television presenter. After graduating from Oxford, Lawson worked as a book reviewer and soon became the deputy literary editor of the Sunday Times. She proceeded to write her first cookery book entitled How to Eat which became an instant bestseller. Lawson wrote her second bestselling book, How to be a Domestic Goddess in 2000, winning her a prestigious British Book Award. Her career progressed in the United Kingdom when she hosted the successful Channel 4 cookery programme, Nigella Bites, which was accompanied with another bestseller. She also hosted a less successful chat show on ITV in 2005, which was followed by two highly successful cookery series on BBC Two. Lawson also enjoys a flourishing career in the United States where Nigella Feasts has been aired. Her own cookware range is reportedly worth £7 million a year[1], and she has sold nearly 3 million cookery books worldwide.

Background

Nigella Lawson is the daughter of Nigel Lawson (now Lord Lawson), Conservative politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer in Margaret Thatcher's cabinet, and the late Vanessa Salmon,[2] a socialite and member of the formerly powerful Jewish family who co-owned the Lyons Corner House empire.[3] Lawson's parents divorced in the 1980s. They both married again; her father to a House of Commons researcher, Therese Maclear, and her mother to philosopher, AJ Ayer.[3]

Lawson's school years were difficult, where she was moved nine times during the ages of nine and eighteen. She commented "I was just difficult, disruptive, good at school work, but rude, I suspect, and too highly-strung."[4] Lawson attended Godolphin and Latymer School and Westminster School before graduating from Oxford,[4] with a degree in medieval and modern languages.[5] She also lived in Florence for a period.[5]

In 1985, when Lawson was just twenty-five, her mother died of liver cancer at the age of forty-eight.[3][5] Nigella's siblings include her late sister Thomasina, who died of breast cancer in 1993 during her early thirties;[3][4] another sister, Horatia; and a brother, Dominic, former editor of The Sunday Telegraph and The Spectator.

To uncover some of her family's extensive history, Lawson took part in the third series of the BBC family-history documentary series Who Do You Think You Are?, in an edition first broadcast on 11 October 2006. She traced her mother's side of the family, the Salmon (originally Solomon) family (owners of J. Lyons and Co.) to Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors in the Netherlands and the Rhineland of Germany. One of these ancestors, Coenraad Sammes aka Joseph, had fled to England to escape a prison sentence following a conviction for theft.[6] Lawson was disappointed not to have Sephardi ancestry in her family. The episode was watched by 6.1 million viewers.[7]

Career

Early years

Lawson's early career consisted of writing book reviews,[8] after which she proceeded to write a restaurant column for The Spectator in 1985[4][8] and a comment column for The Observer. She then became deputy literary editor of the Sunday Times in 1986.[4] It was there that she met her future husband John Diamond. Lawson attracted unwanted publicity in 1989 when she publicly admitted voting for Labour in an election as opposed to her father's Conservative Party, and then criticized Thatcher in print.[3]

After her time at The Sunday Times, Lawson wrote for The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, a food column for Vogue and a makeup column for Times Magazine in the UK [9] and Gourmet and Bon Appetit in the USA.[9] As well as her freelance writing career, she was a newspaper-reviewer on BBC1 Sunday-morning TV programme Breakfast with Frost. She also co-presented, with David Aaronovitch, Channel 4 books discussion programme Booked in the 1990s, and was an occasional compere of BBC Two's press review What the Papers Say, as well as appearing on BBC radio. In 1995, after just two weeks working on Talk Radio, Lawson was sacked after she had stated her shopping was done for her which was deemed incompatible with the radio station's desired "common touch".[3]

1998—2004

Following slots as a culinary sidekick on Nigel Slater's Real Food Show on Channel 4, she did eventually go on to front three television cookery series broadcast in the UK on Channel 4. Diamond originally came up with the idea of writing a cookery book, which was entitled How to Eat and published in 1998.[4][9] Lawson, however, could not bring herself to write How To Eat until a long period after the deaths of her mother and sister, as cooking had been a cherished pastime which she had often shared with them; thus, it would have made her too sorrowful to write it straight away. She soon realised that food was actually the opposite to death: "It's about keeping yourself alive."[10] The book became very successful and sold 300,000 copies in the UK.[8] She soon had a second best-selling book in 2000, How to be a Domestic Goddess and a social affairs column in The Observer.[4] The book won Lawson the title of Author of The Year at the British Book Awards in 2001,[8] fending off competition from J. K. Rowling.[11] One commentator suggested she only won the award because her husband was about to die of cancer.[8] Lawson commented "I am not against pity, but I have no desire to be tragic."[8]

The books, How to Eat and How to be a Domestic Goddess, laid the foundation for her cookery-based show, Nigella Bites, which ran from 2000 to 2001 on Channel 4 and aired a Christmas special in 2001. The show won her the title of Television Broadcast of the Year at the Guild of Food Writers Awards in 2001.[12] The series of Nigella Bites, which was filmed in her home in west London, was also bought by American television[4] and broadcast on E! and Style Network.[8] One newspaper in the U.S suggested that Lawson was simply too sexy, but she was well received in America.[13] The series was followed by Forever Summer with Nigella in 2002.[9] The two series both yielded accompanying recipe books.[14] They included the number one bestseller, Nigella Bites, bringing total book sales to 1.5 million worldwide.[9]

In 2004, Lawson appeared frequently on American television, doing cookery slots on The Ellen Degeneres Show where she actually cooked with Degeneres,[15] and KRON-TV's Morning Show in San Francisco where she cooked with Liam Mayclem.[16] Lawson's sixth book, Feast Food That Celebrates Life, which was released in 2004,[17] made sales worth £3 million.[18]

2005—2006 Nigella Feasts era

In the UK in 2005, she hosted a daytime TV programme on ITV1 called Nigella, on which celebrity guests joined Lawson in a studio kitchen. It was not well received by critics,[6] and after the chat-show format lost 40% of viewers in the first week, it was cancelled.[19] Lawson later commented in an interview with Radio Times that on her first show, she was almost too frightened to come out of her dressing room.[20] She also stated "I now know I can't ever be a presenter, and won't do scripts."[21] Besides her own cookbooks, Lawson is featured in Off Duty: The World's Greatest Chefs Cook at Home (2005).

Her third food-based television series called Nigella Feasts, branching from her book Feast, debuted on the USA's Food Network in Autumn 2006.[19] She has also written cooking articles for The New York Times.[2] With a thriving career in the U.S, she appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Late Show with David Letterman where with some input from Letterman, she did a cooking segment.[22]

In late 2006, Lawson started a new show on BBC Two entitled Nigella's Christmas Kitchen which began on 6 December 2006. BBC Two's controller, Roly Keating, stated "I'm absolutely delighted to welcome Nigella to BBC2."[19] The first two episodes secured the second highest ratings for BBC Two overall, with the first episode debuting with a high 3.4 million.[23] The third episode proceeded to become the top show on BBC Two the week that it was aired.[24] Lawson's influential presence was also demonstrated when after she had lauded goose fat as being an essential part of a successful Christmas roast on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross in late 2006, sales percentages of the fat increased significantly. Waitrose and Tesco both stated that goose fat sales had more than doubled, as well as Asda's goose fat sales increasing by 65%.[25] Similarly after she advised using prunes in "Christmas cakes and puddings" on Nigella's Christmas Kitchen, Waitrose had increased sales of 30% year on year.[26][27]

2007: Nigella Express era

A new 13-part series,[28] entitled Nigella Express, began on BBC Two on Monday 3 September 2007: "a show packed with delicious ideas for good food fast".[29] The food programme that is filmed partly in her own kitchen, suggests ways of making simple and quick dishes which are aimed at those with a busy lifestyle. After Lawson is seen shopping and making the food, she serves the dishes to family and friends at her home.[1] The television show has become another ratings success, where so far in its run, it has been one of BBC Two's top rated shows yet again. The first episode debuted with 2.7 million, a high percentage above the channel's slot average.[30] The second episode secured strong viewing figures of 3.2 million.[31] Her power to sway the public was demonstrated once more when sales of Riesling wine increased by 30% after she used it in her Coq au Riesling recipe on her show.[32] Nigella Express has been sold to the Food Network in America, and her accompanying book with the same name as the series is due to be released there in November.[1] It is currently the number one bestselling British book on Amazon.[33] Lawson also cooked on the ITV's This Morning in September 2007.[34]

Nigella Express was subject to criticism when it was revealed that a public bus Lawson was seen travelling on during the programme was actually hired and was not filled with members of the public as depicted, but a group of extras whom the producers had hired.[1] They defended the show by saying "This series is a factual entertainment cooking show, not an observational documentary and it is perfectly normal procedure."[1] It has also been revealed that the kitchens in which Lawson is seen cooking, are in two separate locations; one in her home and the other in a television studio in Battersea, South London.[1] Lawson also suffered criticism when it was suggested that some of her cookery book recipes are too hard to follow.[35]

Her cookery programmes are broadcast worldwide. Throughout Lawson's programmes, she emphasises that she cooks for her own pleasure rather than to please others, and also that she finds cooking therapeutic.[5] She has become renowned for her flirtatious ways of presenting, but she stated "It’s not meant to be flirtatious. It's intimate, not flirtatious.[6] Lawson is also infamous for her vivid and adjective-packed food descriptions.[36] As well as her television shows, Lawson has a profitable line of kitchenware, called the "Living Kitchen" range, which is sold by numerous retailers. Her range's value has continued to grow, going from an estimated £2 million[37] to a reputed £7 million a year as of 2007.[1] Lawson is also considering releasing her own food range.[1] She is estimated to have sold nearly 3 million books worldwide.[6]

Personal life

Lawson met journalist John Diamond in 1986, when they were both writing for The Sunday Times.[4] Three years later, they were married in Venice.[4] They had two children, Cosima and Bruno. Lawson, whose mother and sister passed away from cancer, lost her husband John to throat cancer in March 2001 after he had been diagnosed in 1997.[8] During his illness, Diamond chronicled and documented his life with cancer in a newspaper column, documentary and book.[8]

Lawson later married art-collector ad man Charles Saatchi in September 2003,[38] and came under some criticism when it was suggested she had started her relationship with him before the death of Diamond.[39] They currently live in a £7 million home in Eaton Square in London's exclusive Belgravia district.[1] Saatchi is worth a reputed £70 million.[40] Lawson has previously been named as one of the world's most beautiful women.[5] One interviewer referred to her as "stunningly beautiful, warm, honest, likeable and amazingly normal".[4] It was rumoured that Lawson has declined an OBE.[41]

She has also admitted that she loves watching football.[42]

Her style of presentation is often gently mocked by comedians and commentators, particularly in a regularly-occurring impersonation of her in the BBC television comedy series Dead Ringers, who perceive that she plays overtly upon her attractiveness and sexuality as a device to engage viewers of her cookery programmes, despite Lawson's repeated denials that she does so.[43]

She has also been featured on BBC One TV impersonation-sketch show Big Impression, where Ronni Ancona has done impressions of her, which mock and embellish the fact that she uses slightly exotic foods. For example, in one sketch, a recipe requires Phoenix eggs. In her act, Ancona also lampooned Lawson's tendency to present her recipes with over-description. Lawson's view on Ancona's impressions is "very odd but very flattering at the same time."[13]

British Television personality and talk show host Jonathan Ross often speaks of her in an overly fond manner.

Television credits

  • 2000: Nigella Bites (series one: 5 x 30 minute episodes)
  • 2001: Nigella Bites (series two: 10 x 30 minute episodes)
  • 2001: Nigella Bites Christmas Special (1 x 60 minute episode)
  • 2002: Forever Summer (8 x 30 minute episodes)
  • 2005: Nigella (20 x 60 minute episodes)
  • 2006: Nigella Feasts (13 x 30 minute episodes)
  • 2006: Nigella's Christmas Kitchen (3 x 30 minute episodes)
  • 2007: Nigella Express (13 x 30 minute episodes)

International broadcasting

Lawson's cookery programmes are broadcast around the world. They are shown in the following countries:[44]

Bibliography

  • How to Eat: Pleasures and Principles of Good Food, Chatto and Windus, (1998) or John Wiley & Sons, (ISBN 0-471-25750-8, 2002)
  • How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking, Chatto and Windus, (ISBN 0-7011-6888-9, 2000)
  • Nigella Bites, Chatto and Windus, (ISBN 0-7011-7287-8, 2001)
  • Forever Summer with Nigella, Chatto and Windus, (ISBN 0-7011-7381-5, 2002)
  • Forever Summer, Hyperion, (ISBN 1-4013-0016-2, 2003)
  • Feast: Food to Celebrate Life, Chatto and Windus, (ISBN 0-7011-7521-4, 2004) or Hyperion (ISBN 1-4013-0136-3, 2004)
  • Nigella Express, Chatto and Windus, (ISBN 0-7011-8184-2, 2007)

Awards

  • 1998: British Book Award - Illustrated Book of the Year for How To Eat
  • 2000: British Book Award - Author of the Year for How to be a Domestic Goddess
  • 2001: WH Smith Book Award - How To Be A Domestic Goddess shortlisted for Lifestyle Book of the Year
  • 2001: Guild of Food Writers - Television Broadcast of the Year for Nigella Bites
  • 2001: World Food Media Awards - Gold Ladle best television food show for Nigella Bites
  • 2002: WH Smith Book Awards - Lifestyle Book of the Year for Nigella Bites

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Alison Boshoff . New Nigella fake: She takes us all for a ride with bogus bus trip to the shops — dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Thane Peterson. Chewing the Fat with Nigella Lawson — business week.com. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Alex Bilmes. Say What You Like About Nigella Lawson (Q Magazine) — nigella.com. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Harriet Lane. Nigella Lawson: A sweet and sour life — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  5. ^ a b c d e Harriet Lane. An angel at our table — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  6. ^ a b c d Thane Peterson. 60 Seconds: Nigella Lawson — metro.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  7. ^ Julia Day. 2m suffer England's defeat — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Lynn Hirschberg. Hot Dish — nytimes.com. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  9. ^ a b c d e Channel 4. Nigella Lawson Biography — channel4.com. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  10. ^ Editors at The Telegraph. A woman of extremes — telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  11. ^ Editors at BBC. Lawson beats Potter magic — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  12. ^ Guild of Food Writers Award Winners 2001 — gfw.co.uk. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  13. ^ a b James Ellis. Nigella Lawson — metro.co.uk. Retrieved October 3, 2007.
  14. ^ Editors at The Guardian. Nigella Bites by Nigella Lawson — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  15. ^ Nigella - interview — nigella.com. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  16. ^ Nigella - Interview — nigella.com. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  17. ^ Editors at The Guardian. Beauty and the Feast — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved October 3, 2007.
  18. ^ John Ezard. Cookery and children's titles surge in popularity — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  19. ^ a b c Steve Busfield. Nigella joins the BBC — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  20. ^ Steve Bird. Nigella claims US rival has ‘soft spot’ for her husband — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  21. ^ Editors at Daily Mail. Back off Martha! Nigella claims US rival fancies her husband — dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
  22. ^ Nigella Lawson @ LM — youtube.com. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  23. ^ Tara Conlan Nigella tastes festive success — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  24. ^ Weekly Viewing Summary (w.e 10/12/06 - 24/12/06) — barb.co.uk. Retrieved December 21, 2006.
  25. ^ Rebecca Smithers. Nigella effect sees goose fat sales soar — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  26. ^ Editors at Daily Mail. Sales soar as Nigella plumps for prunes — dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  27. ^ Laura Clout. Nigella sends prunes flying off the shelves — telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved October 2, 2007.
  28. ^ Editors at Daily Express. Food: Nigella Express, 8.30pm, BBC2 — dailyexpress.co.uk. Retrieved October 3, 2007.
  29. ^ Nigella Express — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  30. ^ Leigh Holmwood. Tepid response to Hell's Kitchen — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  31. ^ Chris Tryhorn. Hell's Kitchen turns up the heat — guardian.co.uk. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  32. ^ Harry Wallop. Nigella recipe prompts thirst for Riesling — telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved October 2, 2007.
  33. ^ Bestsellers — amazon.co.uk. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
  34. ^ Jane Warren. Envy, Lust and Gluttony - The Perfect Recipe — dailyexpress.co.uk. Retrieved October 3, 2007.
  35. ^ Rebecca Camber. Nigella and Delia's recipes are 'too tricky to follow — dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  36. ^ Quentin Letts. Nigella Lawson's recipes look easy as pie, so how did Quentin Letts go so wrong? — dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  37. ^ Editors at BBC. Grossman's sauces top brand league — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  38. ^ BBC Press Release. Jonathan Ross cooks up a storm with Nigella Lawson — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  39. ^ Brian Viner. 'My children would like me to remarry' (Sainsbury's Magazine) — nigella.com. Retrieved September 29, 2007.
  40. ^ Janice Turner. The N Factor — timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  41. ^ Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. It is an honour to stand among the refuseniks — independent.co.uk. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
  42. ^ Editors at Daily Mail. Nigella reveals seduction secrets... stockings, suspenders and high-heels in bed — dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved October 9, 2007.
  43. ^ BBC Press Release. Dead Ringers - Series 1 — bbc.co.uk. Retrieved September 30, 2007.
  44. ^ Nigella Official Website — nigella.com. Retrieved October 3, 2007.

See also

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