THROUGH her passion for all things edible, acclaimed culinary queen Prue Leith has achieved cult status in the world of British cookery.

Although most famously known for rescuing many in the midst of a kitchen crisis with her Cookery Bible collection, Prue's achievements as a businesswoman, cook, writer and mentor span across 40 years.

Taking time out from her hunt to find the Great British Menu in BBC 2's current series, Prue flew the foodie flag at the festival.

"I think if there is anything unusual about me it is that I am a jack-of-all-trades," she said. "Some people see me as a TV cook, a restaurateur, a food writer, a manager and others just think I eat for a living. This festival is a very brave thing to do and I think they want women who have achieved something, and as I have been around so long it is hard not to have done so."

After discovering her passion for food during a trip to Paris, the South African-born cook opened her first catering business in 1960 and went on to launch her Michelin-starred restaurant Leith's before founding the acclaimed Leith's School of Food and Wine in 1975.

"I don't have any formal education, but it never occurred to me that I would fail at anything," added Prue. "I always say you need greed, energy and a good pair of feet in this industry and you have always got to be open to new ideas."

Lisa Higginson