I was fortunate enough to meet Claire Allen at The Good Food And Wine Show. We had a brief chat before I watched her demo.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
That would be my mother. She has been a friend, business mentor/partner, relationship coach and overall my go-to-person for most situations. She has been there whenever I need her and has shaped me into the business women I am today, by setting an example of what it takes to be a self-employed, hard working, loving, kind and caring women.
What started you on the path of cooking?
My family love food and cooking and whenever there is a family affair it’s all about the food and you will find us all in the kitchen. I can’t remember not being in the kitchen either stirring custard or making dumplings!
Which three ingredients could you not live without?
Garlic, lemon and bacon!
Which of your kitchen tools would you take with you anywhere and everywhere?
My Global Chef knife – I get special permission to take it in my luggage when I travel!
Do you have any pet peeves in the kitchen?
People who don’t wash and clean as they cook – I can’t sleep with a dirty kitchen.
Which meal is your all time favourite?
Oh that’s really hard… I love food, all food. If I had to choose one dish though it would be Beef Red Wine Stew with Dumplings.
Which restaurant would you visit over and over again?
I don’t go to enough restaurants to actually pick one. I also prefer certain restaurants for certain experiences, for example Winchester Mansions for scones and margaritas, which has become a weekly activity with my friend Sarah.
If you could only have one recipe book, which one would it be?
I don’t really use recipe books, I do have loads, and I guess I do check them when baking, but we have such an incredible reach on the Internet, I’m always Googling ideas. I mainly cook with instinct.
If you could work alongside one chef for a day who would that be?
Marco Pierre White. I totally adore him and am sad I never got to cook with him in the MasteChef Final. To spend the day working the pass with him would be a dream come true!
Which ingredient will you not eat or cook with?
Olives… I really don’t like them.
What is on top of your bucket list?
I’m planning a trip to Italy where I want an Italian mamma to teach me how to make pasta.
What is your food philosophy?
Food Is Love – cook from the heart and your dish will always taste good.
Any parting words for the readers?
Don’t be afraid of food. Balance is important – try not to follow trends and diets. Listen to your body and enjoy yourself and have fun cooking. It’s the one thing we all have in common. Food does not only feed our bodies it nourishes our soul.
Disclosure: This interview with Claire Allen was facilitated by Megan Neale from Exposed By Her Public Relations. This post is in line with my blogging policy.
What I blogged June 29:
- one year ago – Charlotte Russe
- three years ago – Tandy’s Smoker Challenge
- four years ago – Today Is Moving Day
- five years ago – Tuna Lasagne
- six years ago – Oxtail
What a interesting interview Tandy, she sounds like a very accomplished and lovely woman.
She is a very lovely woman indeed 🙂