What do you have for breakfast?
I have really been enjoying a toasted brioche bun with some homemade tomato ketchup and French’s mustard, a sausage patty, an egg fried like an omelette, a slice of smoked bacon, and a wedge of homemade American-style cheese (brie, cheddar, red Lester and mozzarella). One of those sets you up for the day!
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I absolutely love comfort food that’s packed full of calories and my go-to guilty pleasure is a Domino’s meat feast pizza with a stuffed crust – and an obscene amount of garlic sauce.
What would be your last meal on earth?
It would have to be a selection of steamed bao buns with at least three different fillings.
What’s in your home fridge?
There’s nothing special in there, I just stock the essentials really – eggs, milk, butter, cream, cheese, salad bits, vegetables… I can make quite a lot from there.
What’s your favourite food book?
My favourite at the moment is Hunan: A Lifetime of Secrets from Mr Peng’s Chinese Kitchen. I’ve already tried a few super tasty recipes from this one and have a lot more to try out.
What’s your most important piece of kitchen kit?
It has to be a thermomixer. I use mine every single day and couldn’t be without it.
What’s your most important piece of advice in the food business?
Take every bit of feedback or criticism – no matter how bad or irritating it may be at first – learn from it and make what you do better.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working in food?
I’d probably be a tradesman – an electrician, plumber or joiner. I don’t think I could have a desk job.
If you only had £15 to spend on a meal, what would you buy?
Some chips and green veg, and the best steak I can get with whatever is left over.
Who is your favourite chef?
It has to be Gordon Ramsay for me – I think he’s very entertaining and he has produced some really inspiring food throughout a long career.
Bistro en Glaze, Laburnum House, Wylam, NE41 8AJ, tel 01661 612 654, www.bistroenglaze.co.uk
