I recently learnt the true meaning of the word 'starstruck'. I met my hero of heroes, Nigella Lawson, at a book signing in Dublin last month. I queued for about an hour and a half in the freezing cold just to get my book signed and to have a glance at the woman who made cooking sexy. I absolutely love her! Her books have provided the Ramirez-Foran household with many happy meals and countless friends have enjoyed the wonderful fruits of my working with the recipes in her books.

At the queue I met this two very nice ladies who had gotten up at 5 am to take the train to Dublin from Galway to meet Nigella, and when they asked me what my favourite book of hers was, I couldn't honestly tell them! My love affair with her books started about 8 years ago during a trip to the Aran Islands, off the Galway shore. A stunning unspoiled part of the country at the time. At the bottom of the hill to Dun Angus and its magnificent cliffs, there is a small tached cottage converted into a cafe for the hungry hikers. I sat there and took a slice of the cake on offer, Chocolate Guinness Cake. My life was never the same again! I tracked the recipe for weeks, finally leading to Nigella and her book 'Feast'. The cake has become a classic in my household and I have shared it with many as I think it is, by far, the best chocolate cake ever!

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