The Sunday Times Magazine – August 16, 2026

Summary

Yotam Ottolenghi invites Laura Pullman to lunch in The Sunday Times Magazine (16 August 2026) cover story, sharing exclusive recipes from his new book and explaining why he is "still cooking on gas" after revolutionising how Britain eats. Marc Almond tells Jonathan Dean about the death of his Soft Cell bandmate Dave Ball, while Caroline Scott reports on what happens to 18-year-olds when they leave the care system — Klarisse Smith, 24, describes being "left to my own devices in hostels and HMOs."

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The 16 August issue balances food, music and social reporting. The 8-page Ottolenghi cover includes new recipes and a conversation about loss, spices and his lasting influence on home cooking. Caroline Scott's care-leavers investigation follows Klarisse Smith, Saleem Miah (who graduated with a first from Manchester Met while homeless) and Iesha Christopher, who passed four GCSEs while 37 weeks pregnant. Marc Almond discusses the death of Dave Ball and Soft Cell's legacy. Jim Armitage meets Mikel Arteta to ask whether Arsenal is ready for superclub status after their Premier League win. Pierce Brosnan and his son Paris do Relative Values. A photo essay by Guille Iba-ez documents Spanish small-town religious festivals.

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Regulars: Matt Rudd on mulberry glut. An ice cream seller on the perfect 99 in That's My Job. Camilla Long reviews Wild Izakaya in London. Will Lyons decodes wine labels; Pete Brown on Italian beer. Fleur Britten investigates whether chemicals in plastic are harmful. Jeremy Clarkson drives the TWR Supercat — "a volcano under its bonnet." Elaine Paige, singer, closes with A Life in the Day.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story

p.34 · Zest for Life: Yotam Ottolenghi
Laura Pullman joins Ottolenghi for lunch and conversation about his new book, his journey from espionage to food, and his lasting impact on British cooking. Exclusive recipes accompany the interview. For any home cook: Ottolenghi's method is layering spices you already have rather than buying new ones.

p.10 · No one to turn to: care leavers at 18
Caroline Scott reports on young people leaving the care system. Klarisse Smith, 24, was "left to my own devices in hostels and HMOs." Saleem Miah graduated with a first-class degree from Manchester Met while homeless. Iesha Christopher passed four GCSEs aged 17 while 37 weeks pregnant. Each story names the gap between legal adulthood and actual readiness.

▸ Interview

p.24 · Marc Almond: on the death of Dave Ball
Jonathan Dean interviews the Soft Cell singer about losing his bandmate and their shared musical history. Almond discusses the legacy of Tainted Love and life after Ball.

▸ Feature

p.16 · A league of their own: is Arsenal ready for superclub status?
Jim Armitage meets Mikel Arteta after Arsenal's Premier League win. The feature asks whether the club has the infrastructure and mentality to sustain success at the level of Manchester City and Real Madrid.

▸ Interview

p.6 · Relative Values: Pierce Brosnan and his son Paris
The Bond actor and his artist son discuss their relationship, fame and family. Paris describes growing up with a famous father and building his own creative career.

▸ Regulars

p.5 · Matt Rudd: Here we go round the mulberry glut
Rudd's column on dealing with an overproductive mulberry tree.

p.9 · That's My Job: Ice cream seller
The art of serving the perfect 99 cone. First-person account from a seaside vendor.

p.42 · Camilla Long: Wild Izakaya in London
Retro Japanese wantonness reviewed. Long focuses on the authenticity of the small-plate format.

p.46 · Health: Are the chemicals in plastic harmful?
Fleur Britten investigates chemical migration from food packaging. Expert Muncke recommends decanting staples into glass or stainless steel.

p.48 · Jeremy Clarkson: TWR Supercat
Clarkson reviews the TWR Supercat — "a volcano under its bonnet." The car earns his enthusiasm for its engine character over electric alternatives.

p.58 · A Life in the Day: Elaine Paige
The singer on her daily routine, career longevity and life in the theatre.

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Editor's Take

The Ottolenghi cover is warm, well-reported and genuinely useful if you cook. The care-leavers investigation is the issue's most important piece — Scott lets her subjects speak in their own words and the result is more powerful than any statistic. Marc Almond's interview is poignant but short. Weaknesses: the Arsenal feature is timely but reads like a padded match report — too much context, not enough Arteta. Guille Iba-ez's photo essay deserved more space. Clarkson's Supercat review is a one-note joke. Best for readers who come for Ottolenghi and stay for the care-system investigation.

Strengths
• Ottolenghi recipes are genuinely cookable, not aspirational
• Care-leavers investigation is the most important feature in any August issue
• Pierce Brosnan Relative Values delivers unexpected candour

Weaknesses
• Arsenal feature is over-extended for its news value
• Spanish festival photo essay compressed into too few pages
• Clarkson column feels phoned in

Verdict: Recommended — the care-leavers report and Ottolenghi cover justify the price; skip the Arsenal piece.