At 90, Dame Mary Berry isn’t slowing down—she’s just getting started. On October 6, 2025, during a lively eight-minute segment on ITV’s This Morning, the British culinary legend unveiled her most ambitious project yet: a 90-recipe cookbook titled Mary 90 and a six-part BBC Two series, A Lifetime of Cooking, set to air in Autumn 2025. With a chocolate and cherry cake in hand and a grin that could warm a frosty kitchen, she declared: “I have no intention of retiring.” And just like that, the myth that 90 means retirement was shattered—again.
A Career That Defies Time
Dame Mary’s journey began in 1965, when she was 30, fresh from Le Cordon Bleu and the Bath School of Home Economics. She became food editor for Housewife magazine in 1966, then made her TV debut on BBC’s The Big Time in 1970. But it was her role as a judge on The Great British Bake Off from 2010 to 2016 that turned her into a national treasure. Now, decades later, she’s not looking back—she’s cooking forward.The Mary 90 cookbook, published by The Happy Foodie (an imprint of Penguin Random House UK), isn’t just another collection of recipes. It’s a living archive. Inside: Pepper Pot Chicken, Lasagne Bolognese, Mary’s Best Brownies, Lemon Drizzle Traybake, and Raspberry Soufflé—each recipe paired with family photos and stories from her six decades in the kitchen. The photos? Vibrant. The instructions? Clear as a well-whisked egg white. No fancy jargon. Just good food, made by someone who’s made it for generations.
‘They’re All People Who Asked to Cook With Me’
The BBC series, A Lifetime of Cooking, will feature guest appearances from household names like Jamie Oliver and Tom Allen. But it’s the quieter moments that might stick with viewers. Berry mentioned a neighbor from Penn—a woman she described as “a very good cook”—who inspired a dish. “She makes the most perfect cabbage,” Berry said on This Morning. “Not the soggy, boiled school cabbage from back then. No. Sweet butter, gentle heat. That’s the secret.”She also proudly showed off a new vegetable she’d grown in her garden: “Ka um klet,” she called it—small, leafy bunches, like miniature sprouts. “I didn’t know the name, but I knew it tasted right.” It’s moments like these that remind you: this isn’t just a TV show. It’s a woman sharing her life, one imperfect, perfect bite at a time.
Why This Matters Beyond the Kitchen
In a world obsessed with youth, Dame Mary Berry’s announcement is a quiet revolution. She’s not just cooking. She’s challenging the narrative that creativity, influence, and joy have expiration dates. At 90, she’s not a relic. She’s a trendsetter. Her career spans six decades—1960s to 2020s—and she’s still shaping how Britain eats. The BBC confirmed the series will air on BBC Two and stream on BBC iPlayer between September 22 and December 21, 2025. The book hits shelves weeks before, available at Waterstones, WHSmith, and Amazon UK.And here’s the kicker: she didn’t wait for permission. No corporate strategy meeting. No focus group. She just cooked, then said, “Let’s share it.” That’s the real legacy—not the recipes, but the attitude.
What’s Next? The 90s Are Just the Beginning
When asked if she’ll slow down after the book and show, Berry didn’t blink. “I’ve got ideas,” she said. “And I’ve got the energy.” She’s already hinting at a possible 95th birthday project. Maybe a podcast. Maybe a garden-to-table documentary. The point isn’t what comes next—it’s that there *will* be a next.Her career isn’t ending. It’s evolving. And in doing so, she’s giving permission—to women, to older people, to anyone told they’re “too old”—to keep creating. To keep showing up. To keep making something delicious, even if it’s messy.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of a Legacy
The Mary 90 project took over 18 months to develop. Berry personally selected each recipe, testing them in her kitchen in Somerset. The photography team spent weeks capturing the dishes in natural light, often at dawn, when the light was “just right.” She insisted on using her own china for the photos. “It’s not about perfection,” she told the team. “It’s about comfort.”One of the most touching moments? The inclusion of a photo from 1967—her first published recipe, a simple sponge cake, alongside its 2025 reimagined version. Side by side, they’re nearly identical. Just like her: timeless.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does ‘Mary 90’ differ from her previous cookbooks?
Unlike earlier collections, ‘Mary 90’ blends 45 classic recipes she’s made famous with 45 new ones developed specifically for today’s kitchens. Each recipe includes personal anecdotes, family photos, and tips from her 60-year career—making it less a manual and more a memoir in edible form. The photography is also her most vibrant yet, shot in natural light with her own dishes and cutlery.
Who are the guest chefs on ‘A Lifetime of Cooking’?
Confirmed guests include Jamie Oliver and Tom Allen, but Berry also invited people from her personal life—including a neighbor from Penn who taught her to cook cabbage properly. The series isn’t about celebrity; it’s about connection. Each guest chose a dish they’ve always wanted to learn from her, making the cooking feel intimate, not staged.
Why is her staying active at 90 so significant?
Very few public figures—especially women—continue to lead major media projects past 85. Berry’s decision to launch a BBC series and bestselling cookbook at 90 directly challenges ageist norms in entertainment and publishing. She’s not just staying relevant; she’s setting a new standard for longevity in creative industries.
Where can I buy the ‘Mary 90’ cookbook?
The book will be available in the UK at major retailers including Waterstones, WHSmith, and independent bookshops, as well as online via Amazon UK. It’s scheduled for release on August 15, 2025—just before the BBC series premieres in September. International editions are expected by early 2026.
Did Dame Mary Berry invent the ‘ka um klet’ vegetable?
No. She’s referring to a local variety of kale she grew in her garden, likely a regional or heirloom type with no formal name. She called it ‘ka um klet’ because that’s what her neighbor called it. The term isn’t official—it’s a charming example of how food knowledge is passed down informally, and why her cooking feels so authentic.
What’s the timeline for the BBC series?
The six-part series, produced by BBC Studios, will air weekly on BBC Two and stream on BBC iPlayer between September 22 and December 21, 2025. Episodes are expected to run 45–50 minutes each. Filming wrapped in May 2025, with location shoots in her home in Somerset and London kitchens. No release date per episode has been announced yet.