What's cooking with Worrall Thompson?

Given his face is one of the most recognised in the world of TV chefs, I wondered what to expect from Antony Worrall Thompson ahead of his latest visit to Abu Dhabi — would he be bitter and hardboiled, like some celebrity chefs? Or sweet as pie? I need not have worried, as I soon find out it was the latter. Worrall Thompson — AWT to his legions of fans — could not be more charming and speaks enthusiastically, chuckling throughout the interview.

UK-based Worrall Thompson is a frequent visitor to this part of the world, regularly participating in the Taste of Dubai food festival and doing live demonstrations in the city. This time, he was in Abu Dhabi to host a cook-off contest between the chefs of the Radisson and the Crowne Plaza hotels, as part of the Yas Show Weekends.

Beyond his cook-off responsibilities, however, he was busy scouting around the UAE, looking for a spot to set up his own grill restaurant here in 2011. "Clientele everywhere would rather eat honest food than visit some fancy gastronomic temple," he says as we talk about the latest food trends. "When women, especially working women have the opportunity to visit a restaurant, they want a chance to relax and would rather not have to exclaim ‘Oh my gosh' every time they get served an elaborate meal," he says.

The result of that conviction is two grill-based restaurants in the UK, which he plans to expand. "I'm looking to set up a restaurant and grill in the UAE very soon," he adds.

Worrall Thompson may be well known as a celebrity chef today but his rise to the top has been a bumpy one. When he was 16, he suffered an injury while playing rugby and his face had to be surgically rebuilt. His health issues don't end there — but he has taken them as inspiration for his cooking.

"Recently, I almost became a diabetic with a condition called Syndrome X, a pre-diabetic state," he says. Doctors warned him to lose weight with immediate effect and bring the diabetes under control. "It was then that I realised how few options diabetics have, with respect to food. I researched extensively and came up with several healthy, yet delicious ideas for diabetic cuisine," he adds.

Worrall Thompson's book, The Essential Diabetes Cookbook, won the Best Health and Nutrition Book of 2010. "The key is to substitute high-fat ingredients with chunky low-fat foods such as grilled fish, chicken or vegetables," he says. "Chunky food keeps you full for longer, so you don't pick at food all day."

The book is his third aimed at diabetes sufferers and includes puddings and desserts. It has received great public response. "People don't expect a diabetic cookbook to have dessert recipes and that's why the response has been wonderful," he says.

Which chefs does AWT watch on TV?

"Chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Ainsley Harriott — I count them among my good friends and watch their shows often. Jamie is one of my closest friends and has collaborated with me on a number of projects. Some of our recipes are available on my website, www.awtonline.co.uk". And what about Nigella Lawson's shows? "She is a nice person but I don't think much of her as a chef."