Vivienne Carlyle can trace her love of food back to her childhood and what her mother told her at a very early age.

“She instilled in me how important it was to eat and to eat well," says Vivienne, who is currently touring with Willy Russell’s legendary musical Blood Brothers.

“She very rarely gave me sugary snacks," although she admits, "My father used to sneak them to me and cooked really healthy meals.”

Vivienne is playing the lead role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers. “It’s a gruelling role, especially on a two-show day, and I am often tempted to reach for sugary snacks, but I rarely do, as I have an organised eating regime. But on a Saturday I do break and succumb to my guilty pleasure. A Diet Coke, a Cadbury Twirl and a packet of crisps.”

On a long tour like Blood Brothers Vivienne stays in hotels and therefore tends to eat out most of the time.”

She starts her day with breakfast at around 11.30 to 12.00 noon. I usually find a Pret near the theatre and have a toastie, a coffee and often soup. if it's available.

“On my way to the theatre I pick up food for my meal between shows, which is usually at around 5.30. I normally buy a ready-made salad from Marks, Tesco or Sainsbury with some cooked chicken and maybe some soup.

“If there are no ready-made salads available, I buy salad items, usually including avocado, tomato and basil, and make my own, which I always dress with olive oil."

Vivienne also buys a sandwich to eat halfway through the show. “I really need an energy boost then and have a banana or satsuma along with half the sandwich," although she confesses sometimes to eating the whole sandwich as she’s so “hungry”.

As a child and teenager, Vivienne was never interested in cooking or preparing food, although she would often watch her mother, who was an exceptionally good cook. “We had good simple meals accompanied with lots of vegetables, salads and pasta and really ate well."

But one thing Vivienne and her family used to love and still do is to go out to a restaurant or hotel for a meal as a family – something that Vivienne still loves to do. “I became somewhat of a menu specialist," she admits.

Vivienne spends a lot of time in Italy when she has time off and she loves the food culture that the Italians have.

“Meals for them are almost a religious experience and a true family-orientated occasion where everyone is involved, from the youngest to the oldest family members.”

So it seems only natural that Vivienne’s most memorable meal should be one in her cherished ‘go-to place’.

“The surroundings were idyllic – I dined by the side of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

“I had a carbonara dish and a glass of red wine. The sauce was delicious and didn’t overload the dish as it often does in the UK.”

“I was on my own, and it was just the best thing. There was nothing to distract me. I was able to savour both the food and the ambience, and I remember how very happy I felt listening to the beautiful music that was playing as I dined.”

Vivienne’s Special Breakfast.

This high-protein, low-carb breakfast features soft scrambled eggs paired with savoury smoked salmon, sautéed mushrooms, and a fresh avocado.

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to prepare a serving of a nutritious blend of healthy fats and savoury flavours.

Ingredients for 1-2 servings
4 large eggs
3-4 oz Smoked salmon
1 ripe avocado (sliced or mashed)
1 cup of mushrooms (sliced)
1-2 tbsp butter or ghee
1 tbsp cream or milk (optional for fluffier eggs)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Fresh dill, chives, lemon juice or capers



Blood Brothers tours in our area to: -
Hull 31st March – 4th April
Bradford 28th April – 2nd May