“I’m definitely a bit of an attention seeker”: Potato queen Poppy O’Toole opens up

What are some of your most memorable early food experiences?
My nan was a big influence. I realised that if I wanted to eat snacks – and food is my main driver – I needed to be in the kitchen with her when she was cooking. She made traditional dishes, Sunday roasts and so on, but she was quite experimental. I loved her chicken maryland, which is made with bananas, and instead of an apple to take to school, she gave me a pomegranate. I admit, though, I used to like going to friends’ houses and having chicken nuggets and chips because we never had things like that at home.

How do you feel about being dubbed the ‘potato queen’?
I’ll probably run out of ideas for potatoes at some point. But I can’t think of a better thing for me than to be the queen of potatoes. Potatoes are hilarious, humble and delicious. I think it’s just the most fitting thing: potatoes are my spirit vegetable! In order of preference? Fondant potato, chips and roast potatoes.

What’s the reality of being a content creator?
I didn’t imagine my social media career would take off like it has. It was great, but then it became overwhelming. I was panicking and wondering if I’d ever be able to do another job. About four years into it, I found it all a bit too much and took a couple of weeks off. But then I thought: this is so much fun and the worst that’s going to happen is I’ll just go on making potato dishes online…

I’m definitely a bit of an attention seeker. In high school it dimmed ever so slightly because everyone wants to be cool at that age, but I loved drama and acting. I think one of my reports said: ‘She’s better at ad lib than actually learning’, which probably helps with presenting on live TV, so I’ll take that!

What’s it really like to present on TV shows like Saturday Kitchen?
It can be a bit of a challenge when you first start. You think of all the people watching you and want to get your lines right. When it doesn’t go as planned and I mess up, sometimes I can’t click myself out of it. But I’ve learned to just calm down. When I’m cooking and talking, it’s so much easier because I’ve got the food to concentrate on, and that provides a sort of background distraction.

How do you deal with the negative side of social media?
When I get unpleasant comments from people, I’ve learned to come back to them with remarks like: ‘So do you fancy me, then?’ At first, I didn’t say anything but then I thought: ‘Why am I not telling these people to do one?’ Because in the real world, I would say it to their face. I enjoy reading some of the comments because I don’t take myself seriously anyway. They’re asking for attention: let’s give them the full platform. If you want the spotlight on you, I’ll put it right on you so you can see what it’s like.

What recipe makes you think of autumn?
At this time of year, I enjoy inviting friends round for my birria-inspired turkey tacos. You are holding on to the summer with the fresh guacamole but bringing autumn-ness in with the delicious slow-cooked pulled-apart turkey. And we’d all have something to warm our spirits – Fireball whisky liqueur with apple juice. You can have it as a hot toddy when the weather really dips.

What do you listen to when you’re in the kitchen?
I love to sing at the top of my lungs when I’m cooking. It helps me concentrate. Soul, funk, Motown, all the old stuff. When I was working in fine-dining kitchens – I loved it and learned so much about all the different methods and skills – we were allowed music on before service, which was great. And then suddenly you’re into service and it’s time to focus.

What kitchen gadgets do you make space for on your counter?
I love my slow cooker, my air fryer and my pressure cooker. I have a plug-in pressure cooker now, not one of those old could-explode-at-any-time ones my nan had. They all have their own place in the kitchen. Pressure cookers give you slow-cooking results but in just 45 minutes. Air fryers are quick and convenient and great for those easy dinners when you get home and need to throw something together. And slow cookers are very good for when you are a little bit more organised… I definitely aim to be that person!

The Actually Delicious Slow Cooker Cookbook by Poppy O’Toole (Bloomsbury £20) is out now and available from Bloomsbury and Amazon. Follow Poppy on Instagram and TikTok. We may earn a commission when you click on a link on our review pages but this does not affect the price that you pay.

Browse more chats with foodie friends including John Whaite and Gennaro Contaldo.