Lisburn woman Suzie Lee Arbuthnot presents Suzie Lee: Home Cook Hero on BBC One Northern Ireland. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye
Up and at it – what is your new morning routine? How has it changed?
Pre-lockdown, I was up at 5.45am and at the gym by 6.15/6.30am, depending if I had a spin class or not. Now, it is about 6.30am because my little girl is an early riser – she sings at the top of her voice every morning until I get up.
What might you eat in a typical working day for...
Breakfast? Porridge with berries and honey.
Lunch?
I love a hot lunch, so quite often it is leftovers from dinner the night before.
Evening meal?
Another hot meal and whatever I feel like cooking – I have experimented a lot more with different cooking techniques during lockdown after winning Best Home Cook in 2020. I have honed my bread-making skills which I am so pleased about.
Have you been able to work from home – if so, how have you found it?
When lockdown number one hit, it was one month after winning Best Home Cook and I had some lovely, exciting things organised at the time that never materialised. Being a self-employed chartered accountant, in the first three months of lockdown I had no work at all, as my clients had suspended their businesses. It was a very strange time. But then in May, I was extremely fortunate to land my very own TV series, Suzie Lee's Home Cook Heroes, on BBC Northern Ireland.
Best/easiest lockdown meal?
Seafood! I love seafood and during lockdown fresh, local fish became more accessible due to home deliveries. Seafood is so quick and easy to cook and it is just so delicious.
Weekend treat?
We love a good burger and recently we have been frequenting a great place in Moira where you can order and collect – they have created the most delish ‘KFC-Korean Fried Chicken' Burgers. Leigh Ferguson, the owner and head chef, is extremely talented and is a former chef on the Great British Menu.
How have you kept physically and mentally fit during lockdown?
I found it really hard in the first six weeks and was at a complete loss as to what to do with myself. I have never had so much time on my hands. I didn't have the structure of the gym classes and hockey matches, so I found it hard to get motivated to exercise. Then, at about eight weeks in, I started to do online circuits classes run by Aimee Oliver and that helped tremendously, both physically and mentally.
What has been your daily outdoor exercise?
Running, walking and cycling with the family. We invested in a bicycle seat for our two-year-old and were able to go for longer bike rides every day as our five-year-old (Zander) became a more confident cyclist.
How do you relax?
Cooking and baking, a bath with some good music and something warm and fuzzy to watch on TV – with a cuppa and a bun. I'm quite a simple person.
Teetotal or tipple?
You could call me a teetotaller but I do like a wee tipple and enjoy a glass of good wine. But I am a one-drink wonder – I become the sleepy person in the corner quite easily.
What book are you reading?
Currently I am not reading anything but I have a list a mile long waiting for me after getting caught up with my accountancy work.
Best Netflix?
I love their range of romcoms but if I am watching TV with my hubby, we are most definitely watching a murder mystery/thriller series.
Most surprising thing you've learned about yourself?
That I actually really love TV work and never in a million years did I think I would say that. The experiences of being in Best Home Cook and now making my second series with BBC Northern Ireland of Suzie Lee's Home Cook Heroes have been so much fun.
On a scale of one to 10, where have you been in relation to cabin fever and where are you now?
I would say 11... I lost the plot at about week six of lockdown. I think the realisation of knowing normality was not going to be back any time soon scared me. I am a ‘hyper' person and my personality craves the company of others. I am always out and about for work, lunch, gym, choir, hockey and many other things. I had the glimmer of new food-related activities after winning the Best Home Cook in February when they were cancelled, so devastated was an understatement. When I started to have a more structured exercise routine, I started to feel like myself again.
What are the three things you missed most during the beginning of lockdown?
Hanging out with my family and friends, weekly practice with Lisburn Harmony Ladies Choir and group exercise classes.
Where will you go and what will you do when restrictions are fully lifted?
Well, I would love to take the kids to Florida and go to Disney World but, realistically, a trip to Portballintrae will more than suffice.
Biggest gripe?
People who do not listen to government guidelines and still have parties.
Have your priorities in life or perspectives changed?
I have always lived by the mantras ‘No regrets' and ‘Live life to the fullest' and these have not changed. I probably feel even stronger about them now, as life is too short.
Any new skills or hobbies?
We have been renovating our house, so new skills include laying vinyl tile flooring, cutting insulation boards, plaster boarding…
What would you like to see change for good when this is all over?
The choice of flexible working from home.
Has coronavirus changed your attitude towards your own mortality?
Having lost my mummy at the age of 16, I think my whole attitude to life and mortality changed. I believe when your time is up, it is up, therefore I try to make the very most of every single day.
:: The new three-part series of Suzie Lee: Home Cook Hero is on Wednesdays on BBC One Northern Ireland at 7.30pm. Catch up on BBC iPlayer.
