Dame Mary Rosa Alleyne Hunnings:
(née Berry; born 24 March 1935)
English food writer, chef, baker and television presenter. After being encouraged in domestic science classes at school, she studied catering at college. She then moved to France at the age of 22 to study at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school, before working in a number of cooking-related jobs.
Making your Christmas cake in September is perfect, as too fresh a cake crumbles when cut.
