THERE is a story that food writer Simon Cave likes to recount which starts with him enjoying a nightcap in a restaurant.

“One of the chefs said: ‘Do you know, I served meat to eight out of 10 of the men, and fish or goats’ cheese salad to eight out of 10 of the women that came here today?’” recalls Cave.

This throwaway comment stayed with Cave. He talked about it with friends – the idea that men and women make different food choices – and decided the chef had hit on something.

And this is the inspiration behind his new book, Manly Food.

“The chef had a whole philosophy grounded in experience,” says Cave, who also writes a blog, caveskitchen.com.

“My tastes are incredibly varied and I would have lots of food that wouldn’t fit the stereotype, but there was something going on where some people’s tastes are a bit different.”

Researching what to include in the book involved quizzing people on what they’d expect to see in it, and Cave wasn’t surprised to discover that the same responses cropped up time and time again.

“They all said the same: Meaty things. Spicy things. Things that are hearty. Sour or bitter drinks,” he explains.

“The book is quite tongue in cheek – it is just a different way of cooking.”

What Cave’s trying to say is, you don’t have to actually be a man to enjoy ‘manly’ food. In fact, a woman played a very important part in the development of the book.

“I couldn’t have done it without my wife,” says Cave, laughing.

“She indulged her manly side. We cook a lot together and, while I was writing the book, we tested the food and had a lot of fun.”

The couple, who have two young daughters, are also working on a book about cooking with children.

“I grew up with lots of good food,” says the proud dad. “My parents both travelled and cooked a lot. I definitely want my children to cook. I think it’s one of life’s pleasures.”

Cave says Father’s Day is all about family and informality, and he prefers a nice meal with his family to presents.

“Father’s Day is about having a lie-in in the morning and an Old Fashioned cocktail or two in the evening, and maybe not mentioning the things I haven’t done which I promised to do ten years ago!”

If you like the cut of Cave’s jib, here are some simple Manly Food recipes that the kids can help with while dad relaxes on the sofa this Father’s Day...