London 1/9/2011 5:30:00 PM
News / Entertainment

Cook book collector Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal collects cook books.

The 'Love and Other Drugs' actor - who recently split from singer Taylor Swift - enjoys spending time in the kitchen and is "obsessed" with recipe collections.

He said: "I've always loved cooking, probably because my father and other always cooked.

"I have a massive section in my library at home of beautiful old cook books. I really have a strange obsession with them."

Though Jake collects recipe books, he prefers to come up with his own culinary creations rather than following guidelines.

He added: "If I'm making a romantic dinner. I like to go to a farmers' market first, buy things fresh and come up with my own dish based on whatever I've bought.

"I grow my own vegetables at home because I love fresh food."

The 30-year-old star recently admitted he never worried about trying to get in shape for his nude scenes in 'Love and Other Drugs' because he already eats healthily and didn't think it would suit his character if he bulked up.

He said: "I didn't think about getting in shape. I wanted my character to be a little sinewy and slimy.

"I used to go to the gym but I don't do that anymore.

"I don't follow a special diet but I try and eat well, so I grow my own vegetables."