"'Tempted and unable to resist' just about sums it up," the blonde chef says with a smile.

"All those resolutions to not have this that or the other seem to melt away, don't they?"

While 25-year-old Sophie appears enviably slim, she has previously battled with weight problems and ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). Her choice of career wasn't much help either.

"I've always loved food – I became a chef so that I could eat more – but a few years ago I found myself gaining weight," she explains.

"As much as I told myself 'never trust a skinny chef' I wasn't looking or feeling great and was spending too much time in doctor's surgeries.

"After getting lots of advice and ignoring diet and health books that seemed to be based on deprivation, I adapted my own balanced way of eating."

She says her health problems helped inspired her to create dishes that indulge the senses - but not the waistline - for her new book, Fabulous Food.

After losing more than two stone, Sophie is a great advertisement for her own "sexy recipes for healthy living".

"Diet is still a swear word to me but I now know how to create gorgeous food by eliminating certain ingredients that don't agree with me like wheat, and if I want to indulge I substitute healthy ingredients instead of carbs, butter of cream."

Sophie, a presenter on Channel 4's Cook Yourself Thin, started her professional career cooking full-time at the age of 14. She's worked in top London restaurants and has also been a private chef and nutritionist to a top supermodel, but says she wants to "help everyone become a glamorous gourmet, whatever the occasion".

"Today's women try to do everything, from juggling a pressured job to running a home, not to mention being a doting girlfriend, mother, wife or feisty singleton. Not only that, we're meant to squeeze into the latest fashion in size minus-one - well it doesn't exist yet – but give it time!"

She's divided her book into appealing sections catering for every occasion from Aphrodisiac Dinners and Sexy Breakfasts through to Comfort Food.

The recipe below for Pork Peanut And Coriander Salad Cups is an old party favourite.

"This is one of my eternally popular canapes, and the pork mix is great with rice or noodles too," Sophie says.

PORK PEANUT AND CORIANDER SALAD CUPS

This is based on a savoury pork Thai dish (called Galloping Horses) served on top of fruit pieces.