Illustration by Mikala Georgia Grante

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper


45g butter


3 heaped tablespoons plain flour


10 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely sliced


6 fresh bay leaves


1 litre semi-skimmed milk

600g dried macaroni


8 tomatoes


150g freshly grated cheddar cheese


100g freshly grated Parmesan cheese


A few sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked

Optional: a couple of splashes of Worcestershire sauce

Optional: a grating of nutmeg


3 big handfuls of fresh breadcrumbs


Olive oil