Unsurprisingly, the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was obsessed with food. Felicity Dahl (Liccy), his widow, explains: “He would preside at the head of the table with Chopper, his dog (a Jack Russell), sitting on the arm beside him eagerly awaiting the ration of Smarties that he would be given at the end of the meal.” Roald Dahl would call to the family, “Nose-bags on!” or “Grub’s up!”. “From childhood he loved great food. His mother and sisters were great cooks.”
This year Roald Dahl Day, on September 13 (his birthday), sees the launch of The Times children’s recipe competition, a chance to dream up the sort of fantastical creations that Dahl showcased in his books. Dishes such as pickled spines of porcupines
