We managed to get a sneak peek at model Daisy Lowe’s first foray into the cookbook world (watch out Nigella!).
Arriving at the launch of Daisy Lowe's cookbook, Sweetness & Light, we're quickly handed what looks like a chocolate smoothie - but is actually made from cacao, hemp milk and agave syrup. It tastes seriously good. We then hover around the waiter holding a tray of delicious (buckwheat) pancakes with maple syrup.
It's then we remember that most of the recipes in Daisy's new book are wheat, dairy and refined sugar-free, as Daisy herself is intolerant.
Sweetness & Light contains 60 recipes for healthy sweet treats - perfect to satisfy a sweet craving, yet kind enough to your body that you don’t feel rubbish about yourself afterwards. The book is packed with vintage photos of Daisy and her friends and contains everything from classic sticky toffee pudding to indulgent hot chocolate.
Stealing her away from her equally stylish pals (Clara Paget and Portia Freeman, to be precise), Lowe chatted to Marie Claire about her sweet tooth, dinner parties and kitchen disasters.
On Sweetness and Light…
About two years ago I started creating and collecting recipes. I’ve got a sweet tooth and I wanted to create recipes that would satisfy that craving but not make my tummy feel bad or make me feel guilty afterwards. I ended up baking so many of these healthy treats that my friends started putting in orders. I was like ‘you do realise I have a job!’
On her passion for food…
I’ve been baking since I was a kid but I probably started getting into cooking when I moved out of home and moved to New York when I was about 18. I’ve always been considered a 'curvy' model because I have an appetite, but because I have to be slim for a living, you have to look after yourself more.
On cooking disasters…
My first attempt at making my melon, cucumber and almond milk ice cream went badly. I didn’t put the blender top on properly and green sludge just went everywhere. My poor best mate had to clean up the whole kitchen.
On the key to a successful dinner party…
People who make you laugh! I like a theme - like a British or Mexican night.
On why this is not a diet book…
It’s not about it being low calorie, some recipes are, but it’s more about being kinder to your whole digestive system. I’m not preaching it as a diet book. Ultimately the ethos behind the book is about self-loving and not feeling that guilt after eating treats for the rest of the day.
Sweetness & Light by Daisy Lowe (Quadrille, £15) is available from July 3.