Homepage LIVING
it was very successful. If Instagram had been as big then as it is now I think my life would be completely different but I take every opportunity that comes my way. I love presenting and have absolutely no fear of talking in front of people – I think turning up with a good attitude will get you a long way. FTB: You have worked on so many different things – what are your personal highlights? BH: I worked for a year at Jamie Oliver’s first restaurant, Fifteen, which was incredibly chaotic as everyone in the kitchen was under 30, but we had a great time. I love working on stage at cooking shows and was at The Ideal Home for many years. I co-presented a six part TV series for Anglia Television called Tasting History and I’ve worked with the likes of Ken Hom, Marco Pierre White, Stanley Tucci, Tom Kerridge and Raymond Blanc. I also present at a lot of festivals. One thing I am proud of is I ran a mini roadshow for Love Food Hate Waste where I took a kitchen trailer around the country and demonstrated how to minimise food waste – it’s one of my passions not to waste good food! FTB: You do a lot of private catering – can you tell us about that? BH: I work all over the country and in France and Spain. I have been working on an exciting event in Spain with a good friend. We have created a totally different dining experience called The Opera of the Senses.We come up with the menu and the wines and make it into a total sensory experience. We write it rather like a story with the focus on the dishes which are like one’s emotions. It’s an extraordinary experience for anyone taking part. My friend has created five songs for the violin which are played when each dish is served. We have three different wines and two cocktails. We also add in some surprises along the way like changing the lights, a blindfold experience and various essences that are sprayed into the room, which makes this a meal you will never forget. FTB: You also work in schools, can you explain what you do? BH: Everything I do means a lot to me but this was very special. I spent a week at a primary school, working class by class, teaching the students how to make fresh pasta with a tomato sauce, while focusing on building confidence for the less academic pupils. The message is that everyone is worthwhile and should never
“ONCE YOU HAVE BOUGHT A PLACE OF YOUR OWN, NEVER GO BACK TO RENTING AND GIVE IT UP”
give up on themselves so I hope I made a difference. I would like to do more of this but funding is very difficult. FTB: What is your favourite recipe and what do you like to eat? BH: I am a big sushi fan but nothing beats an old fashioned pie, which is so underrated.You serve a pie upside down so the crispy base is on the bottom to soak up all that fantastic gravy. I love cooking omelettes and actually it was the first thing
I learnt to cook as a child. But, my favourite is a six meat ragout, with all hand-cut meat which is slow cooked with a little tomato and finished with chicken livers, cream and parmesan shavings – it’s my signature dish! FTB: What advice do you have for first time buyers? BH: Once you have bought a place of your own, never go back to renting and give it up. If you are in a position to buy then do it as soon as you can, as you will not regret it.
First Time Buyer August/September 2025 15
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs