Q&A

Arlene Thompson, 46, works for Sainsbury's as a community food and health advisor. She manages and delivers the MEND programme in Lisburn - a healthy lifestyle programme to help kids and families eat more healthily and become more active and also does the Active Kids Get Cooking in primary schools which gets children to do hands on cooking and learn about healthy food.

What do you like doing on your day off?
Cooking a tasty meal for friends, family and walking the dog.

If you were to choose your favourite meal what would it be?
Italian seafood risotto from Caf� Vaudeville. I love Italian food and love the atmosphere.

What has been your proudest moment?
Winning an award for my advanced patisserie course. Meeting Jamie Oliver at his home in Essex twice and at his office in London was great too. He took us round his vegetable and herb gardens and did cookery demos for us.

What was the most frightening moment of your life?
Doing my first ever cookery demonstration.

How would you describe your taste in clothes?
I like to keep trendy.

What would you do if you won a million pounds?
Travel the world and give to a needy cause.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
Congratulating a friend on her pregnancy- she was overweight not expecting.
What music do you like? Pop/rock.

What sports person do you most admire?
The runner Paula Radcliffe.

What's your dream holiday destination?
Italy

What is your greatest remaining ambition?
To make a difference to people's health and inspire the nation to get cooking with fresh ingredients like Jamie Oliver's Pass it on project in Rotherham

If you could spend a day with a celebrity whom would you choose?
Jamie Oliver.

If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you want with you?
Good coffee/ frying pan/ good knife.

FAVOURITE THINGS.....

Ulster Star
19/12/2008

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