TASTES LIKE HOME
“Every Sunday my granny would make this wonderful dish. It was the only day of the week that we’d all sit round the table as a family, as my dear late father and mother worked hard all week long. Granny’s rice pudding is satisfying and reassuringly British. Golden syrup was a staple in her pantry and the memory of prising it off the larder shelf, with all its sticky drippings, is still vivid.
Recollections like these have stuck with me over the years, and when I first decided to train as a chef, inspiration from childhood was significant. It’s funny to think that a single dish of my grandma’s has played a part in my career and what I’ve accomplished. Food holds so much emotional importance – when I’m thinking about it (or, even better, smelling or tasting it), I’m instantly transported back to another time or moment.
Food and cooking can take you on a special journey. It can help families come together and bring back loved ones that we’ve lost – all in a single dish. When I prepare food, sometimes I want diners to discover something new, but at other times I hope to send them on a trip down memory lane, and leave a fond smile on their faces.”