'Des O'Connor and Tommy Cooper were regulars' - Glasgow cook Mrs Conetta's showbiz memories

Each fortnight, in Times Out, she shares memories of her life less ordinary, and recipes for the food she loves to cook.

This week, Mrs Conetta pays tribute to her hardworking parents and reveals a favourite fish dish…

MY mum and dad, Reginald and Jean Eastwood, retired not once, but three times.

First of all, they owned the Central Café in Rutherglen, which many readers might remember.

When it was the subject of a compulsory purchase order because the whole building was being developed into the new shopping arcade, they opened the Buon Appetito nearby.

A few years later they retired and passed the Buoni on to me.

Then, they got wind of an opportunity to buy an old factory in Bo’ness, and with the help of partners, they turned it into a most glamorous nightclub.

All the famous stars of the era came to La Fabrique - Tony Christie, Lulu, Tommy Cooper, Cleo Laine and Johnny Danworth and Des O’Connor, to name just a few.

They also once had Guys and Dolls performing there, which featured Bruce Forsyth ‘s daughter, Julie.

My parents worked very hard it became so popular buses brought people from all over central Scotland.

My mother’s cooking was exceptional and many big companies booked La Fabrique regularly for special events. I remember the night global travel agents came - the buffet was spectacular.

My parents were not getting any younger, and so they decided to retire for a second time, and La Fabrique closed down.

But they could not stay still for long and after moving to Newton Mearns, opened up a fish and chip shop at the Busby roundabout.

I always remember the chip shop – my mum proudly displayed the fish on beautiful silver trays. I have happy memories of watching my parents at work, and seeing the pride they took in everything they did. Eventually, they did finally retire and let others do the work.

My favourite memory is from La Fabrique, however. One night, Tommy Cooper was performing. He liked a drink or two, so had a driver to take him about. After the show, Tommy would go into the back of the van and fall asleep. This particular night, the van was stopped by the police.

The officer asked the driver: “What have you got in the back of the van?” The driver, totally truthfully, answered: “Tommy Cooper”, to the fury of the policeman who thought he was just being cheeky, and told him to open up.

There was Tommy, sure enough, snoring away. Red-faced, the officer told the driver to be on his way…

This week, I’m cooking a favourite fish dish of ours, salmon with leek. Buon Appetito!

READ MORE: 'I was furious - the nuns had a look of horror' - Mrs Conetta's close shave with the law

RECIPE - SALMON WITH LEEK

INGREDIENTS

6 tbsp of virgin olive oil

1 onion, sliced

1 leek, trimmed and sliced

Juice of half a lemon

2 tbsp chopped parsley

2 tbsp chopped fresh dill

500g salmon, cut into slices and seasoned

Freshly cooked spinach leaves and lemon wedges to serve

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C (gas mark 6.) Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and leek and cook for about 4 mins until slightly soft.

Meanwhile put the remaining oil in a small bowl with lemon juice and herbs and season. Stir together well. Rinse fish under cold running water. then pat dry with kitchen towel. Arrange fish in a shallow ovenproof baking dish.

Remove the frying pan from the heat and spread the onion and leek over the fish. Pour the oil mixture over the top, ensuring everything is well coated. Roast in the centre of the pre-heated oven for about 10 mins or until fish is cooked through.

Arrange the cooked spinach on warmed serving plates, remove the fish and vegetables from the oven and arrange on top of the spinach. Serve immediately, accompanied by lemon wedges.