What does cooking mean to you?
Cooking is an act of care. It begins with choosing exceptional ingredients and treating them with the respect they deserve. I believe what we eat shapes how we feel, so every dish should do much more than taste good. It should nourish the body, lift the spirit and bring people together.
How much can good food impact both body and mind?
The impact is enormous. Food influences our energy, focus, mood and long-term health. When we eat fresh, wholesome ingredients that have been thoughtfully sourced and prepared, we feel the difference. Good food supports the body, but it can also bring comfort, joy and a greater sense of balance.
What does it mean to share your food with people?
Sharing food is deeply personal. Around the table, conversation flows, barriers begin to fall and connections grow. Cooking for someone is a way of welcoming them into your world. For me, there is no greater privilege than creating a dish that becomes part of a memorable moment.
One ingredient you wish everyone used more and why?
For me, it is less about one particular ingredient and more about choosing ingredients at their best. Seasonal produce, grown with care and enjoyed at the right moment, has a flavour and vitality of its own. When the produce is exceptional, a chef’s job is often simply to let it shine.
What is one simple cooking tip that can elevate any meal?
Start with the source. Buy locally and seasonally wherever possible, and build relationships with producers, suppliers and stores you trust. Fresh ingredients grown responsibly already carry so much flavour, meaning even the simplest dish can feel special.
Three healthy, easy recipes I love:
Italian — Burrata with ripe heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and flaky sea salt, served with toasted homemade sourdough.
Lebanese — Silky hummus topped with caramelised onions, creamy labneh, roasted aubergine and plenty of fresh herbs.
Indian — A comforting yellow daal with cumin, ginger and turmeric, served with fragrant basmati rice and a fresh salad of tomato, red onion and coriander.
