Top chef and food writer Kathryn Hawkins is the author of The Allotment Cookbook (New Holland, £12.99) and just-published Chocolate! (New Holland, £9.99).

What makes you passionate about food?

Great-tasting, good-looking, local, seasonal produce. Where I live in Perthshire, I'm surrounded by a wide range of excellent food: soft fruits and berries, lamb and mutton raised on the nearby hills, and plenty of independent shops and restaurants providing fresh, home-baked products.

How easy it for busy women to grow their own veg?

There's no doubt about it, growing vegetables does take time - so start small and see how you get on. I began with a few herbs, half a dozen strawberry plants and some raspberry canes. If you don't have a garden, you can grow things in small pots on your windowsill, or put larger plants on a balcony. Encourage the family to share the workload: kids love to plant, water and watch something grow. You've got more chance of getting them to eat it afterwards, too!

Why is it important to make the most of local produce?

Not only does locally produced food taste better, it will only have travelled a few miles - so it's fresher, more nutritious and saves the planet. You'll also be helping to keep local shopkeepers and farmers in business.

Which other celebrity chef most inspires you - and why?

I've admired Nigel Slater's work for a long time. I love his writing style and use of relatively simple ingredients to create delicious recipes. I also love the way Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is going all out to promote locally produced food.

As it's Easter this month, can you suggest a way to incorporate chocolate into healthy cooking?

Try melting some good quality dark chocolate, and mix in dried chopped organic apricots and a handful of pumpkin seeds. Drop spoonfuls on to a board lined with baking parchment and allow them to set. Then indulge in your own naturally sweet, jewel-like clusters. For more information on Kathryn, go to www.kathrynhawkinsfood.co.uk.