17 Facts About Delia Smith

One of the best-known celebrity chefs in British popular culture, Smith has influenced viewers to become more culinarily adventurous.

Delia Smith is notable for her role as Honorary Life President of Norwich City, where she was previously the Joint Majority Shareholder alongside Wynn-Jones from 1998 to 2024.

Delia Smith attended Bexleyheath School, leaving at the age of 16 without any qualifications.

Delia Smith started reading English cookery books in the Reading Room at the British Museum, trying out the recipes on a Harley Street family with whom she was living.

In 1969 Delia Smith was taken on as the cookery writer for the Daily Mirror's newly launched magazine.

Delia Smith later defected to the rival Evening News, but she returned to the Standard when that newspaper bought out the News.

Delia Smith wrote for both for 12 years; later she wrote a column for the Radio Times until 1986.

Delia Smith became a recognisable figure amongst young people in the 1970s and early 1980s when she was an occasional guest on the BBC's Saturday morning children's programme Multicoloured Swap Shop, giving basic cooking demonstrations.

In Taiwan, Delia Smith was compared to Taiwanese chef Fu Pei-mei, and she was called the "Fu Pei-mei of England".

Delia Smith's fame has meant that her first name has become sufficient to identify her to the public and the "Delia effect" has become a commonly used phrase to describe a run on a previously poor-selling product as a result of a high-profile recommendation.

From 1993 to 1998 Delia Smith worked as a consultant for Sainsbury's.

Delia Smith has had a significant impact on improving matchday catering standards and food revenues, only stepping back from day to day responsibilities on reaching the age of 70.

In February 2005, Delia Smith attracted attention during the half-time break of a home match against Manchester City.

In 1996, Delia Smith was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Nottingham, a fellowship from St Mary's University College and a Fellowship from the Royal Television Society.

Delia Smith was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to cookery.

Delia Smith was baptised in the Church of England, and attended a Methodist Sunday School, a Congregationalist Brownie group and later a Church of England youth group.

Delia Smith became friends with the Catholic art historian Sister Wendy Beckett, selecting Beckett's book, 100 Best-loved Paintings, in her second appearance on Desert Island Discs broadcast in December 2023, four decades apart from her first invitation, in 1982.