What was your first industry job?
I was a kitchen porter in the Mad Moose Pub in Norwich.
If you weren’t in kitchens, what would you do?
I’d be a builder.
What industry figure do you most admire, and why? –
Rick Stein, he’s still going strong after all these years and he seems very humble and kind. I loved watching his food shows cooking in France as a child. It’s a core memory for me.
What’s your pet hate in the kitchen?
Chefs on their phones in full view of diners.
What’s the oddest thing a customer has said to you?
Someone once threatened to run me over for asking them to be quiet.
Sum up your cooking style in a single sentence…
Simple, honest, and tasty food with no ego attached.
What’s the worst review you’ve ever had?
I once had someone say: "Pour this gravy over the chef's head."
What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?
I’d tell someone starting out to be a sponge and don’t rush your progress. It’s important to take the time to learn.
What would you choose to eat for your last meal?
Roast chicken with roast potatoes, savoy cabbage and bacon, loads of mustard, cauliflower cheese and a light gravy.
À la carte or tasting menu?
À la carte.
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had in a restaurant?
A bowl of vongole pasta in a beach restaurant with a glass of Vermentino in Procida
What’s your favourite fast food joint?
Any kebab shop.
What’s the dish you wish you’d thought of?
Bouillabaisse - I would love to have been the first person to come up with a melange of Mediterranean fish with that hum of spice.
MasterChef or Great British Menu?
MasterChef, purely for the facial expressions.
What’s the most overrated food?
Any kind of fusion food.
Who would your dream dinner party guests be?
Rick Stein, Anthony Bourdain, Queen Boudica, Gennaro Contaldo, Delia Smith and Prue Leith – we’d have world-beating chats about food.
What’s your earliest food memory?
Heinz tomato soup, sat on a cold beach in North Norfolk.
Twitter or Instagram?
Instagram.
Where do you go when you want to let your hair down?
Grasso in Soho.
What’s your tipple of choice?
Lager.
What’s your favourite food and drink pairing?
I like eating Cadbury’s caramel chocolate with a side of prawn cocktail crisps and a sip of coke all at the same time.