As you may imagine, I love cooking. But it wasn't my first choice ofprofession. For the last over 40 years I've been in the tourism business -see http://www.totemtourismmarketing.org to find out more.

So, I specialise in sustainable tourism. What's that mean? Well, my definition is economically sustainable, culturally sustainable, and environmentally sustainable. All of which boils down to local people keepingcontrol of tourism and the profits going into their pockets. This is a rare phenomenon, believe me. But that's what I do - help locals keep control.

Why Oncle Valere? Because one of the ways locals benefit from tourism is to sell tourists local products. Wonderful, locals get money, tourists get experience. And, of course, it's mainly food. I love cooking, I've got some great family recipes. I love sustainability. I make and sell good food sourced locally with a Belgian (my heritage) theme.

But, there's something MUCH MORE IMPORTANT. Years ago I was lucky enough to have my youngest son diagnosed as dyslexic. And even luckier to have the money to send him to an expensive, wonderful specialist dyslexic school -Appleford School in Wiltshire. It was at Appleford that I learnt that providing organic additive-free food helped the pupils concentrate and live less hassled lives. Since, I've also learnt that prisons have been able to reduce violence by up to 30% by providing additive-free diets.Look at the rubbish we eat now! Made tasty and good looking by dyes andchemicals - just like the old-fashioned Whore - beautiful and tempting but full of nasty things. Hyping us up, reducing our concentration, killing our consciousness. Not at all like the good food I have been lucky enough to experience all my life.

So this is my Passion - providing my family, my friends, my guests good food from my own kitchen - like Oncle Valere's Applecake!

Smaakelijk - and we'll talk about that word next week!

Oncle Valere