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Competition: Win a Copy of The Agony Chef by Kate Sidley

It has tried-and-tested recipes in it, but it isn’t a cookbook. It’s made up, but it isn’t a novel. Agony Chef, the mysterious Delilah, is a witty advice-giver, food-lover and a bit of a know-it-all who seems rather like the alter ego of author Kate Sidley, but isn’t her, actually. There’s no problem, big or small, that sardonic advice, a good pun and a well-chosen recipe won’t solve. Whether you’ve run over the neighbour’s cat or want to feel like Mother of the Year, whether your son’s exited the closet or you’ve just smoked your last cigarette, Agony Chef Delilah is the go-to girl for the vexing situations of modern life.

Part-agony aunt, part-foodie, Delilah has been there, cooked that. Neither psychologist nor chef, she’s lived an eventful life on a few continents, making and fixing mistakes both in the kitchen and in everyday life. Join Delilah as she shares her wit and wisdom, her opinions and recipes and her touching belief that food and good humour can mend fences and hearts in The Agony Chef, a unique concept in cookery books that puts hilarious, fictitious agony aunt columns alongside delicious, real recipes.

Learn how to control an errant husband with passive-aggressive cooking; discover the mysterious etiquette that applies to the newly facelifted; indulge in the marvellous magic of make-up ceps; make a pasta dish so delicious that your guests weep and beg for your hand in marriage; find answers to the trickiest modern day questions: What should I cook for my obese aunt? How do I welcome my fiancee’s gorgeous ex? When did a food aversion become an acceptable replacement for a personality? And many more…

Competition! Win one of 4 copies of The Agony Chef!

To enter, simply share the name of your favourite meal in the comments thread below, and your favourite occasion for eating it. Like scones while watching royal weddings, or minestrone soup during winter evenings. Competition closes 20th of September, terms and conditions apply.

Winners!

We have picked our four winners at random, and they are: 

  • Mabel (with fillet steak on the braai)
  • Priya (with apple anzac on a cold and rainy day)
  • Christiaan (custard and condensed milk tart at birthday parties)
  • Lebogang (Fresh tomato and basil pasta after a long day)

Please check your inboxes for an email from us. Congratulations, and thank you to everyone who entered! All the entries were so delicious; going over them has reminded me of all the special moments that food can create.

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67 Responses to Competition: Win a Copy of The Agony Chef by Kate Sidley

  1. Karin September 17th, 2012 at 9:05 am #

    ‘n Braai, with good friends.

  2. Claudio September 17th, 2012 at 9:06 am #

    Pizza for cold winter days 🙂

  3. tracy jacobs September 17th, 2012 at 9:06 am #

    Salmon sashimi with wasabi and ginger

  4. Lee September 17th, 2012 at 9:09 am #

    Carrot cake with tea after my Sunday nap.

  5. Talitha September 17th, 2012 at 9:10 am #

    Malva pudding on a chilly winter’s eve

  6. Frikkie Cronje September 17th, 2012 at 9:11 am #

    There is nothing like a Fillet Beef steak and “braaibroodjies” shared with friends over a braai..

  7. lammas September 17th, 2012 at 9:11 am #

    Prawns & Chips for movie night

  8. abel September 17th, 2012 at 9:11 am #

    Pizza quality time with my sons

  9. Sally Hetherington September 17th, 2012 at 9:12 am #

    Sushi and cold wine on a hot summer’s day, preferably on holiday!

  10. Nicolene September 17th, 2012 at 9:13 am #

    Home-made pizza while having friends over

  11. Mabel September 17th, 2012 at 9:14 am #

    Fillet steak on the braai

  12. Erina September 17th, 2012 at 9:15 am #

    Chicken with Chillie Chocolate souce on a bead of Mash

  13. Stacey September 17th, 2012 at 9:19 am #

    Woollies chocolate caramel hidden centre cupcakes, with mom on the couch, or in the car, or on the way from the till to the car…

  14. Michelle September 17th, 2012 at 9:19 am #

    peppermint crisp tart at a family birthday.

  15. Nazia September 17th, 2012 at 9:19 am #

    A cupcake with icing and a cup of tea on any day!

  16. Priya September 17th, 2012 at 9:20 am #

    Apple anzac with custard on a cold and rainy day 🙂

  17. Abdur R September 17th, 2012 at 9:22 am #

    Padkos of dry masala chicken and roti for trips to Durban

  18. Johann September 17th, 2012 at 9:22 am #

    Homemade Mushroom Risotto with my wife after a busy day.

  19. Conrad Stoltz September 17th, 2012 at 9:24 am #

    Nothing compares to a nice hot curry lamb stew on a cold winter night !

  20. Dawn Wallenkamp September 17th, 2012 at 9:30 am #

    Lasagne!!!

  21. Patrick Mararela September 17th, 2012 at 9:34 am #

    Pap & tripe, the Friday before the wedding with neighbours!

  22. Camille September 17th, 2012 at 9:35 am #

    Op ‘n warm somersdag – hoenderspitbraai langs die swembad, met gegeurde rys, room butternut en potato wedges!

  23. Christiaan September 17th, 2012 at 9:37 am #

    Custard and condensed-milk tart for birthday parties!

  24. Leanie September 17th, 2012 at 9:48 am #

    Tuna & mayo sandwhiches on a rainy day.

  25. Jeanette September 17th, 2012 at 9:53 am #

    Sushi in a romantic setting with my hubby.

  26. Svetlana September 17th, 2012 at 9:55 am #

    Pizza while watching TV after a busy day

  27. ansuyah September 17th, 2012 at 9:55 am #

    Chocolate cake on a chilly day

  28. Cornelia September 17th, 2012 at 10:22 am #

    My wonderful husband’s speciality, lasagna, accompanied by ratatouille and a green salad and followed by some sinful peppermint crisp tart and coffee – all enjoyed while sharing a few laughs with some good friends.

  29. Cathy Badenhorst September 17th, 2012 at 10:35 am #

    Nothing more tasty than a delicious Peri-Peri chicken with potatoes and a green salad shared with loved ones for sunday lunch.

  30. Tiaan Naude September 17th, 2012 at 10:38 am #

    Biltong soup made by my mom when I’m home on the holidays 🙂

  31. maresa September 17th, 2012 at 10:55 am #

    sweetpotato salad with feta, rocket and sweet chilli dressing outside on a lovely sunny Saturday arvie, surrounded by friends and some nice chilled white wine… heaven!

  32. Marilize September 17th, 2012 at 11:27 am #

    Pancakes with my brother.

    He is the biggest pancake fan I know and living so far apart makes this a very special occasion for both of us. Especially the inevitable “first one’s a flop thusmine-mine-mine” fight that is pretty much tradition by now.

  33. dhesh September 17th, 2012 at 11:34 am #

    Roast chicken with traditional stuffing served for Sunday lunch.

  34. christel September 17th, 2012 at 12:52 pm #

    kaiings on homemade bread for breakfast

  35. Nicole weier September 17th, 2012 at 1:10 pm #

    Lemon cheesecake with hubby after Sunday dinner.

  36. Nonceba Lushaba September 17th, 2012 at 1:26 pm #

    The day after a wedding, I like nothing more than eating the ‘padkos’ wedding cake especially if it’s red velvet or carrot cake while flipping through pics of the event on my tablet.

  37. Lauren Kruger September 17th, 2012 at 1:34 pm #

    My mom’s homemade chicken pie with the family.

  38. Dan September 17th, 2012 at 2:19 pm #

    Sticky Barbecue ribs shared with family and friends at a get together on the weekends

  39. Bongiwe September 17th, 2012 at 3:46 pm #

    Grilled chicken during a movie marathon with my sister

  40. Chrizette September 17th, 2012 at 5:17 pm #

    Sushi (at the roller table) with loads of friends, laughing and joking – just a fun get-together.

  41. Chrizette September 17th, 2012 at 5:18 pm #

    Big bowl of pasta in a crowded restaurant with lots of friends – just because we can 🙂

  42. adriaan September 17th, 2012 at 6:56 pm #

    Mom’s Milktart, back in her kitchen after I’ve been working abroad for the last year.

  43. Sharna September 17th, 2012 at 9:57 pm #

    Sharing decadent cheesecake and good coffee whilst enjoying exerts from each other’s books.

  44. Basheera September 18th, 2012 at 1:01 am #

    spicy tuna pasta with peas, either made with linguine or penne but always saucy! yum yum yuuum!

  45. Lebogang September 18th, 2012 at 2:28 am #

    Pasta fresh tomato & basil after a long day. Very comforting.

  46. Adele September 18th, 2012 at 6:55 am #

    Beef and veg soup after a walk on a cold winters afternoon. Traditional pancakes for pudding.

  47. Kim Sinclair September 18th, 2012 at 7:10 am #

    There is nothing like my theme dinners, when we go to India, we go to India that night all we eat and drink is Indian, and so do we do all nations, Moroccan, Chinese, Spanish, Mexican. We love these evenings we are a group of eight friends who take turns every month to host one. We also share new product ideas.

  48. Toni Stohen September 18th, 2012 at 7:12 am #

    Large pizza shared among friends while watching rugby.. awesomeness!!

  49. Samantha September 18th, 2012 at 7:13 am #

    Bobotie when visiting my American relatives (I give them a taste of South Africa), pancakes on rainy mornings and my famous red velvet cupcakes on birthdays.

  50. Zaakira September 18th, 2012 at 7:39 am #

    That single, sneaked oven roasted crispy-on-the-outside-but-soft-on-the-inside potato with dollops of thick Greek yoghurt while preparing Sunday lunch.

  51. anusha naidoo September 18th, 2012 at 8:10 am #

    A delicious lamb biryani prepared together with my daughter, a fantastic way to teach her thepleasure and joy of cooking and we also bond at the same time, the greater delight is when we serve it to my elderly parents at our weekly Sunday luncheons. ( This recipe was developed by my late hubby now a angel in gods home, I’m sure he is serving this meal there too)

  52. anusha naidoo September 18th, 2012 at 8:15 am #

    A delicious lamb biryani prepared with my daughter, a fantastic way to teach her pleasures and joy of cooking, also bonding time, the greater delight is when we serve it to my elderly parents at our weekly Sunday luncheons. ( This recipe was by my late hubby now a angel in gods home, I’m sure he is serving this meal there too)

  53. Annalize September 18th, 2012 at 11:08 am #

    A good old SA braai, on a blazing hot summer afternoon/ evening with good friends and some ice cold cocktails 🙂

  54. Karin September 19th, 2012 at 6:55 am #

    Boerekos (actually any food shared with good friends). It’s all about the company!

  55. Raquel September 19th, 2012 at 8:09 am #

    A deliciously decadent chocolate dessert… while watching something girly and mushy on a miserable rainy day 😉

  56. Andrea September 19th, 2012 at 8:43 am #

    Mexican food on a Sunday with Margaritas.

  57. Usman September 19th, 2012 at 8:51 am #

    A debonaires triple decker pizza & coke while watching soccer with my friends.

  58. Dominique van Tonder September 19th, 2012 at 9:00 am #

    Lamb shack on mash with nice warm seasonal veggies with good friends with a nice glass of red wine, hearing the winter outside 🙂

  59. Kathy September 19th, 2012 at 10:52 am #

    Curried Chicken with Basmati rice is my ideal comfort meal :):):)

  60. Chanel September 19th, 2012 at 11:21 am #

    Malva Pudding on a rainy day 🙂

  61. Takalani September 19th, 2012 at 11:41 am #

    Chicken feet with pap everytime I visit my hometown.

  62. Lorraine Stone September 19th, 2012 at 12:19 pm #

    My favourite moments are sitting on my couch under my blankie on a cold, rainy day, eating a LARGE slice of Black Forest cake with cappuchino and just watching the rain, with of course my favourite book from Exclusive Books close at hand !! Absolute heaven !!!

  63. Stephanie September 19th, 2012 at 1:27 pm #

    Lime marmalade on slightly burnt toast when I’m missing my Mum (who is in the UK) on a cool, muggy day that reminds me of England, my second home, which I can’t afford to visit 🙁

  64. Laura Ford September 19th, 2012 at 1:37 pm #

    A long slow cooked spaghetti bolognise – its all in the ingredients and the slow cook – lots of garlic, lots of red wine (added to the pot, not your glass), de-pitted olives, fresh tomatoes, freshly picked origanum and bay leaves, a sprinkle of sugar, some tomato paste, a few capers, lots of chopped up chilli – oh yes and of course the mince – and then a long simmer on a very low heat – yummy.

  65. Michelle September 19th, 2012 at 6:19 pm #

    A huge slice of Carrot Cake, a mug of Hot chocolate while devouring some decadent book. And do not let anyone say its not a meal…. It has carbs, protein and even vegetables!

  66. Maryann October 25th, 2012 at 8:09 am #

    My favorite thing to eat is tea and chocolate, (or anything sweet for that matter) while having me time, this is usually complimented with an new glossy magazine, warm covers or an indulgent bubble bath.

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  1. Win a Copy of The Agony Chef by Kate Sidley with Exclusive Books | Pan Macmillan - September 18th, 2012

    […] This book will solve life’s problems with the perfect meal for any tricky occasion, with its mix of recipes and advice. To enter and stand the chance to win a copy, simply answer the question below and then enter on the Exclusives Blog: […]

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