NIGELLA Lawson served up a treat for her drooling fans at a book signing for her latest collection of gastronomic delights in Bournemouth.

The domestic goddess, whose sultry good looks and decadent dishes have helped put the "oo" back in cooking, explained that her new book Feast is all about exploring how we use food to mark special occasions, from religious festivals like Christmas to celebrating a new job.

She revealed that she used her family and friends as guinea pigs to test out her new recipes and worked out a winning formula to find out which dishes cut the mustard.

"I found that if people said 'Mmm that was nice,' but then didn't ask for more then I shouldn't bother with it," she explained. "But if people asked for more I knew I was on to a winner."

The mother-of-two, who is married to advertising mogul Charles Saatchi, has devoted a chapter of her new book to what she likes to eat at home, including her favourite fodder - marinated meat with boiled rice and sausages.

Nigella, who is famed for her calorie-busting chocolate cakes, insisted that the secret to good food is "keeping it simple" and added that one of her children's favourite meals is baked potatoes with bacon, baked beans and a liberal sprinkling of cheese.

Although she is passionate about food, the culinary world's answer to Marilyn Monroe giggled when told she was considered a sex symbol for thousands of men.

"It makes me laugh," she said. "I suppose it could be a lot worse."

Fan Brian Utting, 48, from Barton-on-Sea, arrived an hour early at Borders to make sure he had a front-row seat when Nigella gave a half-hour talk about Feast before the book signing. But he insisted he had his wife's permission.

"I have got all her books and my wife bought me the DVD of Nigella Bites so I can watch her whenever I want," he said.

"My favourite recipe in the new book is definitely her chocolate trifle."

Bournemouth student Ali Rance, 19, said: "My mum is a big fan so I wanted to get her a signed book for Christmas. I have tried a few of her recipes, but my favourite is her chocolate cake. It's amazing."

First published: Oct 21