Nigel Farage celebrates with Ukip candidate Diane James at the Eastleigh by-election, February 28; James beat the Tories to take second place ©Getty Mar 8, 2013

Interview with Ukip leader Nigel Farage

For Britain’s mainstream politicians, Ukip’s maverick leader now poses a clear and present danger. Is it time to take him seriously? By George Parker

Food & drink

Illustration by Ingram Pinn of two competing rowing teams ©Ingram Pinn
‘The Oxford v Cambridge wine tasting is the most extraordinary match – always held well before the Boat Race but taken just as seriously’
– Jancis Robinson
A plate of salambôs ©Andy Sewell
‘My son’s profiteroles were inundated in a tidal wave of very rich chocolate sauce that in the end defeated him’
– Rowley Leigh
James Mallinson at the Kumbh Mela ©Cambridge Jones Mar 8, 2013

A journey through the Kumbh Mela festival

This weekend, Hinduism’s greatest gathering draws to a close. James Mallinson, a Sanskrit scholar, and his friend, the actor Dominic West, joined the millions who converged to bathe in the Ganges

©Edmund Clark Mar 8, 2013

Control order house

The photographer Edmund Clark gained access to a man under a Prevention of Terrorism control order in the anonymous suburban house where he spent eight months

Zach Braff ©Steve Schofield Mar 8, 2013

Zach Braff is back

The writer, director and star of ‘Garden State’ tells Elizabeth Kaye about flying monkeys, his new screenplay and the ‘ups and downs’ of life in Hollywood

Carlos Soria ©Gianfranco Tripodo From PURSUITS Mar 8, 2013

The Pursuits Interview: Carlos Soria

The Spanish mountaineer, 74, is about to set off to Nepal as part of his quest to conquer all of the world’s 8,000m peaks

Harvey Goldsmith ©The Sunday Times Mar 8, 2013

The Inventory: Performing arts promoter Harvey Goldsmith

‘What would I love to own? A crane. It would be my pension for life’

Different varieties of tomatoes ©Dreamstime Mar 8, 2013

In pursuit of the perfect tomato

Scientists are using genetics to satisfy consumers’ demand for flavour and growers’ need for shelf life

Oliver White ©Cameron Wittig Mar 8, 2013

‘I supported gay marriage – and lost my church’

Oliver White’s tolerant attitude resulted in homophobic attacks. But he hopes to form a new congregation

Illustration of a restaurant that is all about the chef, and its corollary, by Richard Allen ©Richard Allen From FOOD & DRINK Mar 8, 2013

Everything but the chef

Should a restaurant be about personality – or strategy, design, clientele? All of the above are crucial, says Tim Hayward

Honda Miimo, Cedar bird box with wireless camera, Windowfarms, Koubachi, InaTrap From PURSUITS Mar 8, 2013

Barometer: cutting-edge garden

Five ingenious devices for the modern gardener