Meryl Streep didn't know what mashed potatoes were.
The actress - who plays celebrated TV chef Julia Childs in new movie 'Julie and Julia' - admits her upbringing was filled with convenience foods and she was left bemused when she saw her neighbour cooking one day.
She said: "I remember when I was 10 years old, going to a neighbour's house and she and her mother were sitting at the kitchen table with what looked like tennis balls and I asked what they were doing. She told me they were making mashed potatoes and I said, 'What do you mean? Mashed potatoes come in a box!' "
Meryl - who has been married to sculptor Don Gummer for 30 years -admits her culinary skills have improved over time, but she remains unrepentant if she ever gets a dish wrong.
She explained: "My husband is amazing because he just likes everything I make. There's nothing better than when you are a little disappointed in what you've tried that he doesn't notice that it didn't turn out so good.
"But I don't make excuses. That's another thing Julia taught me - don't apologise, because it always makes it taste worse. If they didn't notice it was bad, then shut up!"
