{{Short description|English television chef (born 1943)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Use British English|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Susan Brookes | birth_name = Susan Walton | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1943|11|28}} | birth_place = Settle, West Riding of Yorkshire, England | occupation = Television chef, food writer and broadcaster | television = ''This Morning'' | spouse = Warwick Brookes | children = 2 }}
'''Susan Brookes''' (née '''Walton'''; born 28 November 1943) is an English television chef, broadcaster and writer. During the 1980s and 1990s, she regularly appeared on the ITV daytime magazine show ''This Morning'', cooking recipes for viewers as the programme's resident chef.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=28 November 1996 |title=The three wise chefs |pages=26 |work=Westminster and Pimlico News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108234905/westminster-and-pimlico-news/ |access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Stelfox |first=Hilary |date=24 October 1996 |title=TV cook relishes her Yorkshire roots |pages=14 |work=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109584738/tv-cook-relishes-her-yorkshire-roots/ |access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news |date=20 April 1968 |title=Births |pages=2 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109589084/births/ |access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 September 1994 |title=The Bennett diaries |pages=121 |work=The Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109589421/the-bennett-diaries/ |access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref><ref name=":10">''The Times'' (London, England), 28 November 2023, p. 26. ''NewsBank: Access Global NewsBank'', https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWGLNB&req_dat=102CDD40F14C6BDA&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A178CBE1543ACB068%2540AWGLNB-195967280332F736%25402460277-1959673C892099D0%254025-1959673C892099D0%2540. Accessed 28 November 2023.</ref>
== Early life and education == Brookes was born in Settle, then part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, in 1943, and grew up in nearby Langcliffe (both areas are now in North Yorkshire) as the middle child of eight siblings, with seven brothers.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Brookes |first=Susan |title=Susan Brookes' Yorkshire kitchen. |date=1996 |publisher=Dalesman |isbn=1-85568-109-9 |location=Skipton |oclc=36798929}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{cite web |last1=Walton |first1=Roger |last2=Brookes (née Walton) |first2=Susan |date=2011 |title=Life at Bowerley, in Langcliffe, in the 1940s and 1950s |url=http://www.northcravenheritage.org.uk/NCHTJ2011/2011/bowerley/bowerley.html |access-date=17 September 2022 |website=North Craven Heritage Trust}}</ref><ref name=":10" />
Her father, John (Jack) Ridgway Walton, originally from Manchester, was an engineering specialist in non-woven fabrics. She attended Langcliffe School and Settle High School, where she was banned from cookery classes because she talked too much.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7" /> Brookes learned to cook at an early age, but had no formal training. She has a degree in politics, philosophy and English.<ref name=":1" />
== Career == Brookes started her career as a teacher, and wrote features for her local newspaper in her spare time.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |title=Susan Brookes' Real Home Cooking |id={{ASIN|0004140516|country=uk}} |language=en-GB}}</ref> She had her children at a young age, and it was not until she was 35 that Brookes embarked on her television career, before which she had taught English.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Stuckey |first=David |date=31 March 1984 |title=Revenge came with the quiche |pages=15 |work=Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition) |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> In 1980, she applied for a job as a researcher, and worked on programmes for Granada Television in Manchester, beginning with ''Live From Two'', followed by ''The Krypton Factor''.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":4">{{cite web |title=Susan Brookes |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba4183180 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201150051/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba4183180 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2020 |access-date=15 September 2022 |website=BFI }}</ref> Brookes was persuaded to do a screen test with Oenone Williams of ''Exchange Flags'', a lunchtime current affairs programme for the North West of England.<ref name=":9" /> She then began to present, appearing on ''Late Night From Two'' with Shelley Rohde in 1982. The ''Liverpool Echo'' described Brookes on this programme as "Granada's answer to Gloria Hunniford." Brookes also hosted ''Exchange Flags''.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Exchange Flags (1983) |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b713c5bd0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915144221/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b713c5bd0 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 September 2022 |access-date=15 September 2022 |website=BFI }}</ref>
It was Brookes' idea to have a cookery series "about down to earth food, not entertaining or posh food"; she was told she could present it if she did a screen test, which she agreed to. Her first programme, ''On the Market'', ran for four years, from 1983 to 1987, and took her around the North of England. The series, which developed from "Talking Shop", a slot Brookes had on ''Exchange Flags'', focused on seasonal foods and cooking with bargain buys.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":9" /> "The thing that annoys me about cookery programmes is that they are not the real world. They don't deal with the kind of things that go through your mind when you're going round the shops," Brookes commented, prior to the programme starting. "I'm not an expert myself. I just regard myself as a normal run-of-the-mill cook."<ref>{{cite news |last=West |first=Roy |date=18 February 1984 |title=Good eating and it won't cost the earth |pages=11 |work=Liverpool Echo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109626098/weekend/ |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref> In 1986, she began presenting ''Gardener's Calendar Roadshow'', a Granada production for Channel 4.<ref name=":5">{{cite news |date=22 August 1986 |title=Ready to sort out Perth gardeners' problems |pages=26 |work=The Perthshire Advertiser, etc. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109587987/ready-to-sort-out-perth-gardeners/ |access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref>
=== ''This Morning'' === Brookes, a former amateur theatrical, applied to be a producer for ITV's new daytime show ''This Morning'', but was instead chosen to be its resident chef, to her surprise.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news |date=17 December 1996 |title=Food glorious food |pages=47 |work=Liverpool Echo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109628467/food-glorious-food/ |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref> Beginning with the first edition of the programme on 3 October 1988, Brookes was a feature on the popular show, and stayed with the programme over ten years.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Access All Areas: Behind the scenes on This Morning |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/this-morning-behind-the-scenes/ |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=Radio Times |language=en}}</ref> During this period, as her profile rose, she wrote columns for ''Dalesman'' and ''Inside Soap'' magazines. Brookes also appeared on Yorkshire Television's ''Tonight'', and programmes for the Granada Good Life channel.<ref name=":3" /> Her fame was such that she was referenced in the 1999 sitcom ''Mrs Merton and Malcolm''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Mrs Merton and Malcolm |date= |type=DVD |publisher=Network DVD |year=1999}}</ref>
In 1995, she was the winner of the Best TV Chef in the World award at the inaugural International Festival of Gastronomy in Deauville, Normandy.<ref name=":0" /> It was reported that the judges were impressed by a 10-minute taped item of Brookes, resulting in her beating over 40 other TV chefs from 32 countries.<ref name=":6" /> Her prize-winning recipe was chicken supreme with cider and apples, using British ingredients.<ref>'TV chef cooks up a winner' (1995) ''Times'', 4 April, ^, available: https://link-gale-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/IF0503386840/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=ad9b1abd [accessed 16 September 2022].</ref> Commenting on the award, she said: "Fancy an English chef winning a cookery prize in France! I think the British have learnt from the French through holidaying there, but while their cuisine has made us more adventurous as a nation the French have become stuck in an idea that their gastronomy is carved in stone and not to be developed." Brookes was subsequently president of the jury at the contest.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6">{{cite news |last=Turnbull |first=Barry |date=6 April 1995 |title=Gourmet Lesson From Susan |pages=14 |work=Liverpool Echo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108234863/liverpool-echo/ |access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref>
Brookes has authored a number of cookery books, starting with ''Brookes Cooks This Morning'' in 1990. The follow-up, ''Truly Wonderful Puddings and Desserts'' (1995), made ''The Times''/Dillons Bestsellers lists upon its release.<ref>'The Times/Dillons Bestsellers', ''The Times'', 6 April 1996, 12[S], available: https://link-gale-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/IF0500128492/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=f6903d00 [accessed 16 September 2022].</ref> Her third book, ''Susan Brookes' Yorkshire Kitchen'' (1996), had a foreword written by playwright Alan Bennett, a fellow resident of the Yorkshire Dales, who wrote, "Susan's recipes are for good, straightforward, tasty stuff with not a lot of time wasted on exotic garnishes or elaborate presentation. Nouvelle cuisine it isn't, thank goodness."<ref name=":1" />
In 1999, she hosted ''Susan Brookes' Family Recipes'' on Granada Breeze with her daughter Gilly, in which they solved cooking problems for families.<ref>{{cite web |title=Susan Brookes' Family Recipes (TV Series) |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-cz7vl6/susan-brookes-family-recipes/ |access-date=15 September 2022 |website=Radio Times }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 July 1999 |title=Granada Breeze |pages=122 |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109590481/granada-breeze/ |access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref> Brookes has since retired, but contributed a recipe to a local school's charity fundraiser book in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=School's celebrity cook book |url=https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/1770204.schools-celebrity-cook-book/ |access-date=15 September 2022 |work=Craven Herald }}</ref>
== Personal life == She is married to Warwick Brookes, a retired schoolmaster, and the couple have two daughters. They live in Long Preston, a village in North Yorkshire.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Mason |first=Viv |date=4 November 2022 |title=TV chef Susan picks Halloween winners |url=https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/23101510.tv-chef-susan-picks-halloween-winners/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Craven Herald |language=en}}</ref> In the 1980s, Susan was resident in nearby Giggleswick, the same village as television personality Russell Harty, a family friend who was best man at her wedding.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite web |author=Guardian Staff |date=23 November 2000 |title=New literary success Jamie O'Neill |url=http://www.theguardian.com/books/2000/nov/23/fiction.features11 |access-date=15 September 2022 |website=The Guardian }}</ref><ref name=":9" /> She took part in ITV's documentary ''The Unforgettable Russell Harty'' in 2012.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Russell Harty |series=The Unforgettable |series-link=The Unforgettable |network=ITV |date=21 March 2012 |number=6 |series-no=5}}</ref>
During the 25th anniversary edition of ''This Morning'' in October 2013, which featured appearances from former cast members, it was noted that Brookes was unwell, and she did not take part in the programme.<ref>{{cite episode |series=This Morning |series-link=This Morning (TV programme) |network=ITV |date=3 October 2013}}</ref> For ''This Morning''<nowiki/>'s 30th anniversary in 2018, however, Brookes appeared on screen in the studio, joining the cast for lunch. During this appearance, she revealed that she suffered from coeliac disease.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 October 2018 |title=Gino's proper spaghetti alla carbonara |url=https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/spaghetti-alla-carbonara-gino-dacampo-recipe |access-date=6 June 2023 |website=This Morning}}</ref> In November 2022, Brookes made a rare public appearance as a judge at a Halloween party in her village.<ref name=":8" />
== Bibliography ==
* ''Brookes Cooks This Morning'', Boxtree ({{ISBN|978-1852830854}}, 1990) * ''Truly Wonderful Puddings & Desserts'', Hamlyn ({{ISBN|978-0600587163}}, 1995) * ''This Morning Countdown to Christmas'' (contributor), HarperCollinsPublishers ({{ISBN|978-0004127880}}, 1995) * ''Susan Brookes' Yorkshire Kitchen'', Dalesman ({{ISBN|978-1855681095}}, 1996) * ''Get Cooking! with This Morning'' (with Brian Turner), HarperCollins ({{ISBN|978-0004140063}}, 1996) * ''Susan Brookes' Real Home Cooking'', HarperCollins ({{ISBN|978-0004140513}}, 1998) * ''Mrs Brookes' Baker's Dozen'', André Deutsch ({{ISBN|978-0233998824}}, 1999) * ''Cobbled Together: A Personal View of Cobbles and Setts in Long Preston'', Long Preston Heritage Group ({{OCLC|816137310}}, 2011)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Portal|Biography }} *{{IMDb name}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20201201150051/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba4183180 BFI Filmography] * Roger Walton and Susan Brookes (née Walton), [http://www.northcravenheritage.org.uk/NCHTJ2011/2011/bowerley/bowerley.html "Life at Bowerley, in Langcliffe, in the 1940s and 1950s"], Journal 2011, North Craven Heritage Trust. {{Authority control}} {{English cuisine}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brookes, Susan}} Category:Living people Category:1943 births Category:20th-century English non-fiction writers Category:20th-century English women writers Category:21st-century English non-fiction writers Category:21st-century English women writers Category:English broadcasters Category:English food writers Category:English television chefs Category:English television presenters Category:Writers from North Yorkshire Category:People from Craven District Category:English women food writers Category:English women television presenters Category:British women chefs Category:People from Settle, North Yorkshire