Revelations: Helen Graham, head chef, Bubala, London

What was your first job?

 

Sales assistant at Boots

 

What was your first job in catering?

 

Doing the washing up at the demo kitchen at JW3

 

Which is your favourite restaurant?

 

Kiln, Koya and Jolene, all in London

 

What’s your favourite hotel?

 

The London Edition

 

What is your favourite drink?

 

Anything with an ostentatious garnish

 

 

What is your favourite food/cuisine?

 

Israeli, Sichuan or Japanese

 

Which ingredient do you hate the most?

 

Meat substitutes – great veggie food shouldn’t need them

 

Are there any foods/ingredients that you refuse to cook with?**

 

Snails – they scare me!

 

What flavour combinations do you detest?

 

I don’t like pineapple on pizza. Sorry guys

 

Which person in catering have you most admired?

 

Nigel Slater for his pure love of food and simple pleasures. His recipes are a joy and I find his manner so calming

 

What do you always carry with you?

 

Glossier Boy Brow

 

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

 

Marc Summers, my business partner, who founded Bubala. He’s so driven with a really clear vision, and endears everyone and anyone he comes into contact with. He’s been an incredible support and huge inspiration

 

Cast away on a desert island, what luxury would you take?

 

Belazu tahini. It’s incredible and so versatile

 

If not yourself, who would you rather have been?

 

Gary Rhodes

 

**Tell us a secret... **

 

I’ve had zero formal training

 

What irritates you most about the industry?

 

When people take it for granted and don’t appreciate all the work that goes into getting a meal on the table

 

When did you last eat a hamburger?

 

Last week (I’m not vegetarian)

 

What’s your favourite film?

 

High Fidelity

 

Who would play “you” in a film about your life?

 

Helena Bonham Carter

 

 

Photos: Shutterstock