Pippa is the new face of Waitrose

One has sold more than 21million cookery books and has the ability to spark a run on anything from cranberries to Normandy sunblush tomatoes.

The other has written one tome which dishes out such sage advice as stopping cakes from going stale by putting them in ‘an airtight tin’ and how to toast marshmallows.

There’s a world of difference between Delia Smith and Pippa Middleton when it comes to tips about food. But that hasn’t stopped Waitrose ditching the former and giving the latter her own column in its magazine.

‘Pippa’s Friday Night Feasts’ will advise on the best meals to start the weekend off with friends. ‘It will,’ the 29-year-old says, ‘be an exciting opportunity to share my own passion and enthusiasm for food and entertaining.’

A picture of a beaming Pippa features on the front cover of the latest edition of the Waitrose Kitchen magazine. She said: ‘I’m delighted to be writing for Waitrose Kitchen, a magazine that’s always been a source of inspiration to me.’

Editor William Sitwell said his latest signing would be ‘an excellent contributor…bringing with her a wealth of experience of entertaining’.

He added: ‘Readers will love her relaxed and easy entertaining ideas which will help with the preparation for all sorts of occasions.’

The company refused to issue a copy of the first column due out on Thursday. However, if Miss Middleton’s book Celebrate is anything to go by readers can expect such illuminating advice as having a bonfire on Bonfire Night and serving pumpkin soup in a hollowed-out pumpkin at Halloween.

The decision by Waitrose to drop Delia earlier this year was met with uproar among many of its customers, who have relied on her cooking know-how for decades.

The deal with Waitrose follows further evidence of how the Middletons appear to be cashing in on their association with the Royal Family.