What do you have for breakfast?
I like to set my day up properly these days, as I approach 40. I start the day with Greek yoghurt, whole oats, a scoop of protein powder and then top it with whatever soft fruit is in season.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I have many! I love chips – they are the ultimate fast food when done well. I also have a massive sweet tooth, and my current Achilles heel is Magnum Billionaire ice creams.
What would be your last meal on Earth?
I flip-flop on this all the time, as I just love food! Right now, I’d go for a massive ribeye steak served medium-rare with extra crispy, triple-cooked chips; grilled tomatoes; girolle mushrooms; asparagus; and a greedy amount of piquant Béarnaise sauce.
What’s in your home fridge?
I always have some protein in there – like chicken supreme or lean mince. I also batch cook staples like brown basmati rice, sweet potato, and pasta. Then, as long as you have a nice selection of vegetables, seasonings, garlic and red chilli, you can knock together a tasty, healthy and filling meal in minutes.
What’s your favourite food book?
The Square: The Cookbook by Philip Howard.
What’s your most important piece of kitchen kit?
At home, it’s my rice cooker. At work, it would be the Thermomix as I don’t think any of our chefs could live without it.
What’s your most important piece of advice in the food business?
Work hard, show up even when you don’t feel like it, be respectful, and don’t stop learning – even outside of work. At some point, everything you’ve learned will come together to make you into a well-rounded, professional chef.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working in food?
I used to want to be an architect, but I think these days I would choose to work in health and fitness – maybe as a nutritionist or personal trainer – and I would definitely own my own business.
If you only had £15 to spend on a meal, what would you buy?
Chicken bibimbap, as it has all my favourite things in one bowl, is full of big flavours, has plenty of nutrition, and has a bit of spice too. Korean food always hits the spot!
Who is your favourite chef?
My all-time favourite is Phillip Howard from Elystan Street, and The Square before that, but I also need to mention Gordon Ramsay, Thomas Keller and Kirk Hawarth as well.
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