Revelations: Rachel Roddy, food writer and author

Rome-based chef and food writer Rachel Roddy is set to appear at J Sheekey Atlantic Bar at Leicester Square in London as part of its 2017 guest chef series on 9 May

 

What was your best subject at school?
English, probably, although there was plenty of drama, which led me to drama school

 

What was your first job?
Babysitting and gardening, for the same family, so occasionally at the same time

 

What was your first job in catering?
Silver service waitress at the Moat House in Harpenden. I was told I was enthusiastic but incompetent.

 

What do you normally have for breakfast?
Two coffees

 

What do you do to relax?
Walking, ideally with music

 

What's your favourite restaurant?
Cesare al Casaletto in Rome or 40 Maltby Street in London

 

What's your favourite food?
I suppose Italian food with a southern slant

 

Which ingredient do you hate the most?
I am not keen on avocados

 

Are there any foods/ingredients that you refuse to cook with?
Fish that smells fishy…

 

Which person in catering have you most admired?
Can I have two? Joyce Molyneux and Leila Millar

 

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?
My dad

 

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

 

What daily newspaper/website do you read?
The Guardian

 

Tell us a secret…
I have three that I can think of at this moment, but they are not mine to tell

 

When did you last eat a hamburger?
I can't remember, years ago…

 

Who would play you in a film about your life?
Doon Mackichan please

 

What is your favourite prepared product?
Marmite

 

Who would be in your fantasy brigade?
Carla Tomasi (in her kitchen in Rome), Kitty Lindy Travers (La Grotta ices) and James Ferguson