A very happy birthday Good Food! I’m immensely proud to be part of everything you guys do. Just like Good Food, I’ve also been cooking for about 30 years. These have been some of the most exciting times we’ve ever seen in British cooking – it’s been nothing short of a food revolution. That said, some dishes are timeless classics and have stayed with me over my career, and these are the dishes I’ve chosen to celebrate this milestone. So cheers, and here’s to another 30 years of cooking for all of us!

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Chicken liver parfait

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Some sort of liver parfait has been on the menu at every place I’ve worked at and has been a staple at The Hand and Flowers since day one. How I make it has changed massively over the years as things have gotten more technical in the professional kitchen, but I’ve gone back to my roots with this chicken liver parfait, which will still give you a perfectly smooth parfait without all the gadgets we use today.

Autumn vegetable salad with saffron dressing

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I learned to make this autumn vegetable salad with saffron dressing at one of the first Michelin-starred kitchens I worked in – but there, each and every ingredient was laboriously chopped into perfect, same-sized pieces.

Beef ragout & hand-cut pappardelle

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Bolognese, for me, is a true part of growing up. Although this beef ragout is a bit more ‘me of today’, the essence still makes me think of my mum’s after-school meals. Marco Pierre White’s cookbook White Heat had a huge influence on my early career and was the first time I saw chefs making their own hand-cut pappardelle, a skill I set out to master.

Classic bread & butter pudding

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I’ve loved this classic bread and butter pudding since childhood, and mastered the art of making it during my time spent working with Gary Rhodes. Cooking the pudding in a water bath makes the texture soft and creamy, contrasting with the caramelised crust and leaving you wanting more.

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Get more from Tom

Tom will be making a triumphant return to the Good Food Show Winter on Saturday 23 November at the NEC, Birmingham. Come along to see him cooking live, plus listen in to his interview on the Let’s Talk Good Food Stage. Your chance to pick up tips from the man himself!

Find out more and book tickets at the Good Food Show website.

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Which special occasion recipe is your favourite? Let us know in the comments...

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