Foodepedia interviews...
Limited Edition: Sir Peter Blake
Over lunch at Brighton’s ‘Table’ restaurant, Douglas Blyde talks to artist, Sir Peter Blake about his dream lunch and the influence of food in his desigs...
The best bistro in town - we talk to Chris Galvin at Bistrot de Luxe
It seems the bistro is back, although it never really went away but just got overshadowed by the mania for food with no soul. Galvin Bistrot de Luxe can feel proud that since 2005 it's never wavered from the true path and still remains the foundation of Chris Galvin's philosophy of eating. We meet the man with France in his Essex blood.
Getting the feel for Texture. We interview chef Agnar Sverrisson
The annual January roll-call of Michelin awards saw Texture restaurant receive its first coveted star. A joint venture started by Icelandic Chef Agnar Sverrisson and Sommelier Xavier Rousset, both formerly of Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, the intimate 50-seater restaurant has been a name that has consistently appeared on best restaurant lists in the past couple of years. Sabrina Ghayour paid Chef Agnar Sverrissona visit to learn more about the restaurant and more about the man who is largely responsible for Texture’s success.
Food Foundations
Douglas Blyde ventured to Leith’s School of Food and Wine, Hammersmith, to meet acting Managing Director, Jenny Stringer.
Befriending Mr. Dimbleby
Over lunch on Carnaby Street, Douglas Blyde resolves an online spat with Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of Leon restaurants.
The Greek Food Lover
East Londoner, Elisavet Sotiriadou provides an authentic taster of Greek cuisine through hands-on cookery classes.
It's his little place - we talk to Santino Busciglio, chef patron at Mennula
The restaurant is little by some standards but he loves it."I always wanted a place like this. I’ve been offered a few places in the past, some were interesting business propositions, but I always felt it was important to only go with the right person and in the right location and at the end of the day this is a chef’s dream, a 40-50 cover restaurant, W1 location in London? It doesn’t get much better," says Santino Busciglio.
Peter Avis, Babylon's Restaurant Manager - leading a winning team
Peter Avis, Restaurant Manager of Babylon Restaurant, at the Roof Gardens, talks to Alan King about winning two awards in 2009 from the Academy of Food and Wine: UK Restaurant Manager of the Year in June, sponsored by Open Table and The Dalmore Award of Excellence in September. All this on top of Babylon winning Best Restaurant in London at the BT Visit London awards in November 2008.
Virtual Venison, Computerised Coffee and Pixellated Pâté
Douglas Blyde speaks to Kilburn resident, Marcus Carter, founder of the ‘first 3D virtual farmers market’ launched 1st January.
Tea Total
Amidst service bells and cake carousels, we share a brew with The Lanesborough Hotel's ‘Tea Sommelier’, Karl Kessab.
Passion and soul - we talk to Francesco Mazzei at L'Anima
Francesco Mazzei is chef owner of L'Anima in the City, an Italian restaurant (natch) that's said to be one of the best, if not the best, in London. Never afraid to eat a bowl of pasta Sabrina Ghayour went to meet the man and be the first to hear his exciting news about his new restaurant, as well as watch him cook up her supper pronto.
Market Trader - Denise Tang is chic in Camden
Denise Tang,the creative powerhouse behind Market, Camden’s restaurant du jour, has single handedly transformed the way that diners think about the borough. Before Tang and her cohorts opened up in 2007 Camden’s culinary scene was divided between its vast array of inexpensive fodder and the theatrical extravagance of Gilgamesh. Thomas Henry trades words with her.
Still woking hard. Ken Hom
Ken Hom is a Chef. The grand master of Oriental cookery. Despite being a household name, with 23 cook books under his belt and over 7 million Ken Hom woks sold, meaning that 1 in 8 Britons own one, Ken Hom manages to remain a humble man who evokes warmth and has the ability to ‘soothe’ you with her calm manner, whilst making you laugh with his sense of humour and wit
Woman of the year - Clare Blampied – MD of Sacla UK
Responsible for introducing Pesto to our nation’s supermarket shelves, Managing Director of Sacla UK Clare Blampied has built Sacla UK into a £30 million plus business empire.Sabrina Ghayour manages to steal a little chunk of time with one of the most remarkable women in the UK food industry and we find out what motivates and makes her tick… (apart from Pesto, of course)
I Know How To Cook!
You’ve probably never heard of 'Je Sais Cuisiner', not many people outside of France have, yet it’s been around since the 1930s but only previously available in French. A compendium of French classic recipes, it’s been the touchstone of Gallic cooking for generation after generation of French families and many a top chef today will tip his toque to it as well. As it appears in English for the first time, we talk to its editor, Clotilde Dusoulier.
Diving for Pearls - Chef Jun Tanaka
Beginning his career under the watchful eye of the Roux dynasty at the famous ‘Le Gavroche’, Jun spent 10 years working in some of the country’s top restaurants, under some of the most notoriously difficult Chefs in the business. Jun has used his experiences to bring his own unique brand of ‘Modern French’ cookery to fruition at ‘Pearl’, consistently delivering food which is both seasonal and innovative. We dove in for a quick word.
Ice Man- Francesco Mazzei at Cocorino
Cocorino’ is a story in two halves – gelateria and focacceria, each with their own doors. Brought to you by L’Anima restaurant’s dynamic chef,Francesco Mazzei , who worked in his family’s Calabrian gelateria and pastry shop aged eight, and Linda Yau, sister of his long-term mentor, Alan, the launch of the sweeter side of this rather cute Marylebone Village venture occurred last Wednesday. Lured by licking, Douglas Blyde went along to discuss cool-runnings with Mazzei.
Quartz to Crystal
Following the first glass masterclass in Britain, Douglas Blyde catches-up with Maximilian Riedel, 11th generation figurehead of the world’s most famous luxury glassware firm. It was founded in 1756 in northern Bohemia.
Dominic Chapman: Casting His Own Shadow
Douglas Blyde talks to Dominic Chapman, Tatler's 'Best Young Chef' about unbeatable chips, 'Razz Jazz' cakes and how he has emerged from the shadows of Heston Blumenthal and Michael Parkinson...
Ondine to open in Edinburgh
Chef Roy Brett is so excited by his latest venture that he can hardly sleep. Named ‘Ondine’ after the water sprite who marries a mortal in Sir Frederick Ashton’s ballet, the 80 plus cover seafood bar and restaurant opens soon in Edinburgh. Douglas Blyde went to the building site to see him.
