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This Mother’s Day at D&D London, we’re celebrating Mothers everywhere, including the Mums of some of our Head Chefs! The creators of their favourite childhood meal, the passers-on of kitchen traditions and often their inspiration to cook, read on to find out how our chefs’ Mums influenced their cooking, and maybe even some of the beautiful dishes you enjoy in our venues today!
Ben Murphy, Head Chef at Launceston Place
Tell us about a dish from your childhood?
A childhood memory dish would be turkey dinosaurs, spaghetti hoops and potato smiley faces. For me, comfort food that filled a hole at its best… I’d still happily eat it now if I was at my mum’s and she was cooking for my nephews.
What advice does your Mum give in the kitchen?
I’ve recently heard her say a few times when I’ve gone round for dinner “Stay out my kitchen!” when I’ve walked in to have a peak. Now and then, she will compare her food and say “It’s not to the level of Launceston Place” haha!
What did a typical Sunday meal look like in your childhood home?
Sunday Roast!!! Nothing less! Mum does a great Sunday roast! Her roast potatoes aren’t as good as mine and the Yorkshire puddings are Aunt Bessie Yorkshires, but for sure the rest is really tasty and I’m truly grateful!
Bezhad Gotla, Head Chef at Butlers Wharf Chop House
What influence did your Mum have on your cooking?
It was actually my grandma! She used to make me sit on the kitchen counter as she cooked food next to me, she’d let me smell all the spices and taste the food while it was being prepared.
Tell us about a dish from your childhood?
Omelette or Devilled Chicken Liver.
What are one of your earliest cooking memories?
One of my first cooking memories has to be making omelette with my grandma.
What was the first dish you cooked for your Mum?
Chocolate mousse!
What advice does your Mum give in the kitchen?
Less wastage and cook every meal with the same passion as the first meal cooked. Try and make something out of what you have rather than looking for something that you don’t have.
What is your Mum’s signature dish?
Typical Parsi-style Prawn curry rice.
What did a typical Sunday meal look like in your childhood home?
Traditional Parsi Dhansak.
Tony Flemming, Head Chef at Le Pont de la Tour
Tell us about a dish from your childhood?
Baked Rice Pudding with the skin on the top. Me and my dad used to intentionally keep it on, we thought it was the best part!
What was the first dish you cooked for your Mum?
Beef-fried rice, it’s my mom’s recipe.
What advice does your Mum give in the kitchen?
Do not criticise her cooking! If you don’t like it.. well… You must like it.
What did a typical Sunday meal look like in your childhood home?
Sunday Roast, a traditional British feast. Also a good chicken curry, not so many people were eating it back then, so it felt like something special to do.
Michele Tricarico, Head Chef at Cantina
What are one of your earliest cooking memories?
Making bread with la Nonna! As the firstborn I was the one always being called in the kitchen to cook with the adults of the house.
What is your Mum’s signature dish?
Il Pasticcio, a typical Italian baked pasta made from various components found in the kitchen. Similar to homemade lasagna.
What did a typical Sunday meal look like in your childhood home?
I don’t really remember, but I remember the sensation, a moment of reunion, laughter, and good Italian food.