How and where do you Squiz?
I download every episode in Apple Podcasts, and when at home, I listen on my morning walks on the farm. But right now I’m in Italy for work (tough gig!!!), and I love that I can get my Squiz fix every day and stay up to date with what’s what at home (and beyond).

What’s been keeping you busy?
This past year-and-a-bit, I’ve mostly been working on my new book Forever Recipes, which comes out on March 27, 2028, and is a collection of, as the name suggests, my all-time favourite ‘forever’ recipes. Can I say it’s available for pre-order right now? Please and thank you!!

More recently…
I’ve been researching and leading a tour to Northern Italy for Pink Pelican Tours. I spent a few years living here in my late twenties (working for Slow Food International’s editorial house out of their Bra offices in Piedmont), and it’s such a delight to have the opportunity to come back here with small groups of Australian women to share this incredible part of Italy. If you haven’t been to Turin yet and love chocolate, vermouth, martinis, pasta, and all the good things, then please GO! We’ve just finished a tour and I’m writing to you from my favourite bar in Florence where I have a couple of days' break before heading to Sicily to teach a 5-day cooking class and then head home.

What do you like to do in your downtime?
My dream scenario is to be quietly at home on the farm with Tim and the kids, shut the front gate, not go to town for days on end, cook nice food, go for walks with my dog George, have picnics, and do jobs together.

What’s something you’ve seen/read/listened to recently that you’d recommend to other Squizers?
I am in love with and can’t stop raving about the TV show Rivals - it’s just such a good time. I’m also (finally) taking Mum’s recommendation to watch Borgen and of course she was right (she always is!), a terrific series.

Reading?
I recently finished and loved Victoria Hannan’s I Love the Whole World - it’s been a while since a book made me grin and laugh out loud so much. We actually just devoted a whole episode to it (I co-host a podcast called Something to Eat and Something to Read with with bibliotherapist Germaine Leece).

And listening?
Well aside from The Squiz ☺️, I recently stumbled across the National Library’s Memory Tapes podcast - it’s fascinating and beautifully done. And music-wise, this playlist for walks/runs when you are dragging your feet and need some ‘big feeling’ tunes to get out the door.

Give us 4 people (living or dead) at your ultimate dinner party?
Oh such a tough one! Ok - Stephen Fry because I think he would be such great company, so funny and bring so much good chat. Also, let’s have comedians Laura Ramoso and Kitty Flanagan because they both make me laugh-cry a lot, and I think we all need more laughs these days. And our national treasure Maggie Beer because she is such a ray of sunshine and I’d love the chance to get to know her.

What’s been in your social feeds lately?
The minute I turned 50, it’s all been strength training, protein and fibre gumph. But also – I love NZ comedian Thomas Sainsbury’s skits, Natalie Chassay’s salads and local (to me here in Orange) initiative Palette for Good – they’ve paired local cooks and chefs with artists to come up with a collection of food-inspired works to be auctioned off to raise money for Food Care Orange – such a fantastic idea, so well executed, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.

What do you consider to be an overrated virtue?
Perfectionism. I’m a committed subscriber to the concept that ‘done is better than perfect’

What would you say is the most overlooked news story Aussies should pay attention to?
One overlooked story is the need for more support for women and families experiencing domestic violence in the regions.

What’s one thing you would tell your younger self?
CHILL Sophie! It’s going to be ok.

Give us a question to pass onto the next 3 Minute Squizer…
What do you cook for yourself when you need cheering up?