A question of Taste: Roz Purcell

ROZ Purcell, 24, from Fethard, Co Tipperary, was Miss Universe Ireland 2010 and is also a food columnist and blogger, as well as running her clothing label, Scribe by Roz.

She is the celebrity chef on The Restaurant on TV3 next Wednesday at 9pm, a show recorded at Wineport Lodge in Glasson, Co Westmeath.

Best recent book: It would have to be a food-related book, Integrative Nutrition, by Joshua Rosenthal.

Best recent film: Gone Girl. I didn’t think I would like it, but I was mistaken.

Best recent exhibition/performance: This kind of comes under performance — I went to see the Ironman Copenhagen race in which my sister participated. It was beyond inspiring.

What formats do you access music? iTunes all the way. However, we have a vinyl player in the house which makes music sound so much better.

Best piece of music you’ve been listening to lately: Royal Blood.

First ever piece of music or art or film or gig that really moved you: I went to see the Royal Ballet when I was younger and it always stayed with me — their precision, talent and hard work.

TV viewing: I’m not the best for watching TV, I usually have to catch things back on the player. I just never have the time and try to never get addicted to box sets — I wouldn’t leave the house! My guilty pleasure, however, is renovation programmes.

Radio listening: I just listen to the radio in the car. I love listening to Matt Cooper on Today FM.

Best recent holiday: Visiting the village of Cong and staying in Ashford castle, it was an active weekend and the food was mind blowing.

Best celebrity encounter: Probably Jennifer Lopez, I met her while I was modelling in Puerto Rico. I spent the evening with her, and got to see her perform in concert with Marc Anthony.

Best animal encounter: I met a pet lion when I was living in South Africa, he wasn’t as friendly as a house cat. But nothing beats photographer Barry McCall’s dog Boo — he’s always on set in the studio.

Most expensive item of clothing you’ve ever bought: I am usually one for a bargain, this was a bargain but still a bit expensive — it was a vintage LV travel bag. I carry everything but the kitchen sink in it so it was a pretty practical purchase.

Tech habits: I love Instagram. I use my Canon camera constantly in the kitchen and am really getting into food photography. I also love sports gadgets and apps — TrainingPeaks, Strava.

Weekend treat: I love making dessert in any form, I have a serious sweet tooth! I’m a big one for watching movies while eating the sweet and salty popcorn I make.

Health and fitness: I train six days a week, and I am a fan of triathlon and TRX suspension training.

Unsung hero: Conor Cusack.

You are queen for a day — what’s your first decree? For everyone to turn their phones off and actually be sociable. It’s amazing the life experiences that are missed by having your head buried in your phone.