Chef ate nothing but cookies

SHOTLEY BRIDGE, England, March 13 (UPI) -- A Shotley Bridge, England, chef says his food phobia has led him to survive on a diet of nothing but cookies for 25 years.

Andrew Forster, 27, heads the kitchen at the Sale Pepe Italian restaurant, said he was unable to enjoy even his own cooking because he developed a fear of food at about 18 months of age, the Daily Mail reported Thursday.

He said he mostly subsided on Blue Riband, Club and rich tea cookies.

"Just the thought of eating different foods would make me anxious and I'd start to feel sick," Forster told the Daily Mail.

However, he said his girlfriend brought the health risks of his diet to his attention and he has now sought the help of a psychologist and nutritionist to overcome his fear and enjoy real meals.

"It's fantastic to be able to taste good food for once," he said.