Books for Cooks Trivia Quiz

Answer: Agatha Christie

Mrs Ariadne Oliver makes regular appearances in Agatha Christie's novels, normally those featuring Hercule Poirot. She is a fictionalised version of Christie herself, and is depicted as an author of detective stories. Ariadne is a great believer in female intuition, although her instincts are usually doomed to failure. Ariadne made her first appearance in 'Cards on the Table' in 1936 and her character turned up in seven novels in total.

Jamie Oliver, also known as 'The Naked Chef', has appeared on several television shows in both his native United Kingdom and in the United States of America. He campaigns regularly to promote healthy eating, particularly in schools.

Answer: The Phantom of the Opera

Gaston Leroux was a prolific author in his native language, after initially working as a journalist. To English speakers, his 'The Phantom of the Opera' is his best known work. It was published in French in 1910, with an English translation coming out in 1911. The book itself was not particularly successful, but the adaptations for the movie screen and for the stage have kept the story in the public eye.

Michel Roux senior was responsible for opening (with his brother, Albert) La Gavroche restaurant. His nephew, Albert's son, was also named Michel and continued the family tradition by also becoming a celebrity chef.

'Les Miserables' was written by Victor Hugo, and 'Candide' by Voltaire. 'The Count of Monte Cristo' was the work of Alexandre Dumas senior.

Answer: Thriller

Lee Child's real name was Jim Grant, and he began his career as a television producer working on programmes including 'Jewel in the Crown' and 'Prime Suspect'. Having been made redundant, he turned his hand to writing thrillers, which feature the character of Jack Reacher, who is described as a former military policeman. Child's first novel came out in 1997 and was called 'Killing Floor', with further novels coming out each year since. A film, called 'Jack Reacher' and starring Tom Cruise as the hero, was released in 2012. It was based on the 2005 novel in the series which was called 'One Shot'.

Julia Child was well known, particularly in the USA, for her television cookery programmes, specialising in French cuisine. Her first appearance was in 1963 and her career lasted into the 1990s. Child is credited with popularising the French style of cooking in America.

Answer: Banjo

Andrew Barton Paterson was born in New South Wales in 1864. His father, also Andrew, had emigrated from Scotland and married Rose Barton, a relative of Edmund Barton, who became Australia's first Prime Minister in 1901. Paterson began publishing his poetry when he was aged nineteen, adopting the pen name of 'The Banjo', after a horse. Among his best known works are 'The Man from Snowy River' (1890) and 'Waltzing Matilda' (1895).

The 'Two Fat Ladies' were Clarissa Dickson Wright and Jennifer Paterson, who appeared on their own BBC television show between 1996 and 1999. The pair were shown travelling around the UK on a motorcycle, ridden by Paterson, with Dickson Wright in the attached sidecar. Jennifer Paterson died from cancer in August 1999, bringing the partnership to a sad end.

Answer: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Also known as Robin Goodfellow, Puck plays a central role in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. He is described by Shakespeare as 'a shrewd and knavish sprite' in Act 2 ,Scene 1, and Puck is responsible for many of the problems suffered by the other characters. He is the one who causes Titania to fall in love with Bottom, while the latter is wearing his ass's head and also muddles up the lovers' partnerships. Puck puts things right in the end, though, and ends the play with the couplet 'Give me your hands, if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends'.

Wolfgang Puck was born in Austria, and trained as a chef in Monaco and Paris before moving to the USA. He opened several restaurants as well as publishing cookery books, establishing himself in the public eye. Puck has also appeared on television as himself and acting a character, notably in 'Frasier'.

Answer: Australia

Henry Lawson was born in New South Wales in 1867, making him a contemporary of his fellow poet, Andrew Paterson. His father was a Norwegian immigrant, who changed his surname from Larsen to Lawson. His mother, Louisa, was an activist for women's rights. In 1867, Lawson published his first poem, called 'A Song of the Republic', and went on to write many other poems, short stories and essays. His other works include 'The Bush Undertaker', a short story from 1892, and 'The Teams', a poem from 1896.

Nigella Lawson had a head start in becoming known, as her father was Nigel Lawson, a British politician who was at one time a member of Margaret Thatcher's government. Nigella began her career as a journalist, reviewing books and as a restaurant critic. She first appeared on British television in 1999, and has been a regular fixture since. Nigella has also published many cookbooks, including 'How to be a Domestic Goddess' in 2000.

Answer: Carrie

Stephen King has published numerous novels - our celebrity cook would need several holidays to work his way through them all. 'Carrie' was not the first book King wrote, but it was his first work to be published. It tells the story of a girl who uses her powers to wreak vengeance on those who had bullied and humiliated her.

The book was adapted into a film in 1976, the first of King's novels to appear on screen. His other works include 'The Shining' (1977) and 'The Green Mile' (1996).

The 'Hairy Bikers' were Dave Myers and Simon King, who began appearing on British television screens in 2004, with the format of their programmes being similar to that of the earlier 'Two Fat Ladies'. The pair, both with long hair and beards, rode around the country on their motorbikes, stopping en route to prepare meals. They have, of course, also published cookbooks to tie in with the shows.

Answer: T. H. White

Although all the options listed are published authors, it was Terence Hanbury White who wrote about the legendary English king. The first part of the story was 'The Sword in the Stone', published in 1938 and covering Arthur's youth. He then wrote 'The Witch in the Wood', which was renamed as 'The Queen of Air and Darkness' in 1939, followed by 'The Ill-Made Knight' in 1940. The books were published as 'The Once and Future King' in 1958 with the addition of 'The Candle in the Wind'. A final part, 'The Book of Merlyn', was published in 1977, after White's death.

E.B. White wrote many books, including 'Stuart Little' in 1945. Ethel Lina White was a crime writer whose novel 'The Wheel Spins' was adapted for the film 'The Lady Vanishes' in 1938. Ted White was best known as an author of science fiction.

Marco Pierre White, despite his exotic name, was born in Leeds to an Italian mother and English father. He trained as a chef at La Gavroche under Albert and Michel Roux before opening his own restaurant. Television appearances include the UK version of 'Hell's Kitchen' in 2007 and 2009 and 'The Chopping Block' in the USA in 2009.

Answer: Emma

Harriet Smith is the friend 'adopted' by Emma Woodhouse, the main character in Jane Austen's 1815 novel. Emma tries to engineer a match between Harriet and the snobbish vicar, Mr Elton, who rejects Harriet as she is not his social equal. Harriet then fancies herself in love with Mr Knightley, forcing Emma to acknowledge her own feelings for him. All ends well, with Harriet marrying her previously spurned suitor, the farmer Robert Martin.

Ainsley Harriott trained at Westminster College of Catering in London before obtaining the post of head chef at Lord's Cricket Ground. His exuberant personality led to television work including 'Can't Cook Won't Cook' (my personal motto) and 'Ready Steady Cook'. He also appeared on US television in 2000 with the Ainsley Harriott show.

Answer: Arthur C. Clarke

Dr. Heywood R. Floyd made his first appearance in '2001: A Space Odyssey', published in 1968 and returned in '2010: Odyssey Two' (1982) and '2061: Odyssey Three' in 1987. Arthur C. Clarke was born in Minehead, in the south west area of England, in 1917 and had his first novel, 'Against the Fall of Night', published in 1948. The 'Space Odyssey' novels were written in conjunction with the films, rather than the films being adaptations of existing works, although the first version was a rewrite of some previously published short stories.

Asimov, Heinlein and Herbert are also known for their works of science fiction.

Keith Floyd was born in Reading and initially became a trainee reporter before joining the army, a career to which he was totally unsuited. After working in various lowly catering positions, such as vegetable preparation, Floyd acquired some restaurants in Bristol but was forced to sell them due to financial problems. He opened another in London, bringing him to contact with television personalities and actors. He broke into television, becoming the first cook to present programmes while out of the road, establishing a precedent. Financial difficulties continued to haunt him, and he was declared bankrupt in 1996.