Being part of the IoD gives me some unusual opportunities and a somewhat eclectic diary.

This week was a great example. Aside from the usual diary appointments – visitor down from Cambridge, meetings in Dartford, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Hadlow, Maidstone and Whitstable – there were two events of note.

One was a day at East Sutton Park, a women’s open prison preparing offenders for resettlement in the community.

The other, thanks to our partners MHA McIntyre Hudson, was a memorable leaders lunch at Rosemary Shrager’s Cookery School, with the guest of honour being Rosemary herself.

She was back from filming The Real Marigold Hotel and has been promoting her next baking show featuring 2012 Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite.

We had 20 guests and a superb meal while asking about Rosemary’s life story as well as discussing our members’ views on Brexit, apprenticeships and finding out what was the first job they wanted to do – answers included sweet shop owner, pilot, vet, accountant (!) and bunny girl (not me).

Rosemary was a huge character and has invested so much in Kent and her cookery school.

We had a fantastic time and left knowing a lot more about each other than we did before.

I have taken part in sessions at the venue previously, and it is spot on.

I had two lifelong enemies working together as best buddies; I gave up and just took instructions (those who’ve seen my baking efforts on Facebook will understand) and finished by eating everything we’d made accompanied by a well-deserved glass of wine.

There are worse ways of spending a morning.