Claire Macdonald is the author of 17 best-selling cookery books, including Seasonal Cooking, The Harrods Book of Entertaining, The Claire Macdonald Cookbook and Entertaining Solo. She is an energetic Patron of Scottish Food Fortnight and the Association of Scottish Farmers' Markets. In recognition of her contribution to Scottish food, Claire was presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (2005) and the National Farmers' Union (2011). She was also awarded an honorary doctorate by Abertay University (2008).