Alison Holst's children Kirsten and Simon talk about life after their mother's dementia diagnosis 18 Dec, 2020 07:00 PM 18 minutes to read Dame Alison Holst: Author, columnist, television and radio host, cook, seed saver - and much-loved Mum. Photo/NZPA Wayne Drought Dame Alison Holst: Author, columnist, television and radio host, cook, seed saver - and much-loved Mum. Photo/NZPA Wayne Drought She was famous for her marvellous muffins and lazy lasagne. But in 2015 Dame Alison Holst's family revealed the much-loved television cook had dementia. Her children Simon and Kirsten speak in-depth for the first time to Kim Knight. It was around this time of year. Very late or very early, depending on your point of view. A house in the country with its lights on - 2am, and someone was still up, wrapping Christmas presents.