Duck with Star Anise Broth (serves two) © Kevin Ashton 2007

I first met Ken Hom at a Department Store at a well-know shopping mall called Tyson’s Corner on the outskirts of Washington DC; he was fresh from his 1984 BBC series which had catapulted him to fame. We were both there to do cooking demonstrations and of course with his newfound fame Ken was headlining this local food festival. Between sets he came over and complimented my own cookery demonstration and graciously gave me every encouragement.