Miles Jupp (The News Quiz presenter, star of Rev., I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue and The Thick Of It) delves into the mind of his comedy creation Damien Trench - urbane food writer and protagonist of BBC Radio 4's acclaimed sitcom In And Out Of The Kitchen.

'I have just had one of those absolutely mad mornings when you go out to have a browse at tagines and end up coming home with a brand new gas ring expander. I think I was probably as surprised as anybody. Sometimes life is just like that, isn't it?'

Damien Trench is one of the most well-respected cookery writers working today. But what were the formative experiences that sent him on the path to such culinary acclaim? In Egg and Soldiers, Damien opens up for the first time about his childhood - from the blissful early years playing with wooden cookery sets at 'Tiny Steps' nursery, to adolescent struggles (The Swiss Cottage Poo incident and subsequent therapy, a panic attack in a petting zoo, having a clever older sister), to catering college and falling in love with food.

Along the way there are postcards from the present, as Damien relates astute observations on the trials of modern life, illuminating conversations with his partner Anthony, and thought-provoking anecdotes from food festivals and the like. At last, the lid has been lifted on one of the most interesting voices in modern cookery writing. (And there are recipes, too.)

First published: Thursday 7th September 2017