What do you have for breakfast?
Always eggs. Lately I’m having boiled eggs and soldiers in my 61-year-old egg cup that I got for my christening.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Cheese and onion crisps and a pint.
What would be your last meal on Earth?
Onion bhaji starter, then lamb chops, potato dauphinoise and peas. If I still had room, it would be followed up by a cheeseboard with a large glass of Bishop of Norwich Port.
What’s in your home fridge?
Vermouth, gin, blueberries, Heinz salad cream and leftover curry from Chakh Dhoom.
What’s your most important piece of kitchen kit?
Mo [Carruthers & Kent co-owner].
Who is your favourite chef?
Locally it would be Alex Nietosvuori of the much-missed Hjem, nationally it would be Chetan Sharma from Bibis in London.
What’s your most important piece of advice in the food and drink business?
Buy your property and sign the petition to get VAT reduced.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working in food?
I would have worked a lot harder as a graphic designer.
What’s your favourite food book?
Anything by Yotam Ottolenghi.
If you only had £15 to spend on a meal, what would you buy?
A chicken, avocado, boiled egg, salad cream sandwich from Dene’s Deli in Jesmond with a bag of crisps. I keep on asking them to put it on their board but no luck as yet… I still have enough change for a bacon and egg bap from Lemongrass.
What’s been the best bottle of wine you’ve ever tasted?
Rhian at The Feathers Inn once gave us a glass of Château d’Yquem. I can’t remember the vintage but it was outstanding; complex, sweet but not sweet.
What’s your favourite food and wine pairing?
A beautiful creamy, luscious oaked Chardonnay with a simple roast chicken.
Where is your favourite wine region?
I love Greek wines but visited Crete a few years ago and loved their indigenous wines.
What’s your favourite restaurant in the North East?
Bear with me as I have a few! Hjem was definitely my favourite as an absolute treat. St Vincent and The Cook House are my special occasions. Kiln, Riley’s Fish Shack and almost any curry house for every day (not every day, obviously).
3A Elmfield Road, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 4AY, www.carruthersandkent.com
