Colourful caterer and former deputy mayor of Queenstown, Margaret McHugh, will talk about her autobiography and cookbook, The Real McHugh, when she makes a special visit to the Ashburton Public Library on Wednesday 4 May.

The author’s talk begins at 7pm and is free; she will present her recipes and talk about her adventures as the daughter of a Winton dairy farmer who moved to London and rubbed shoulders with some interesting characters before returning home to Queenstown and becoming the contract caterer on the TSS Earnslaw.

Queenstown in the 1980s and 1990s produced some rollicking stories and McHugh’s book details encounters with the local police, tourists and how she came to be a local body politician.

She makes no apologies for her “rough edges”.

She now lives in Picton and is a regular at the local farmers market. She and husband Bill run a luxury bed and breakfast.

Her book is a collection of recipes, life stories and opinions that have more than a serving of hot sauce and spice.

People who want to come along to the event in the Ashburton Public Library should phone 308 7192 to reserve their space, or email library@adc.govt.nz.