A Pinch of ‘Proust’ is back! We are so happy to be relaunching our fun interview style with some of the best chefs on the block! If you’re not familiar with the ‘In the Kitchen Series’ let us give you a recap! Around August last year, we were so inspired by the iconic French writer, Marcel Proust’s, interview technique that we helped ourselves recreating this distinctive style with our very own chefs! His quirky yet raw interview strategy in the back pages of Vanity Fair magazine has become a true iconic movement in the modern world of journalism. They say this list of questions reveals the tastes and aspirations of the taker and give a true representation of a person.

So we thought, there’s no better way to discover the kooky characters we have behind the scenes in A&D! This month we sat down for a cup of tea with Mr Nick, one of our leading Pastry Chefs.
 
Nick has been with Anchor & Den from day one and this cheeky chap has always impressed our guests with his technical and creative skills. Nick, originally from the Philippines, has been working for the property for six years and has been a key implementer for Anchor & Den’s dessert menu, and if you’ve ever tried one of our desserts you what what we are talking about! Not only does the Pastry team create and develop our one-of-a-kind menu but they’ve been designing impressive ever-changing displays every Sunday at our Boulangerie Brunch and consistently wowing everyone with their show-stopping pieces of art!
 
We’re very lucky to have such a passionate and creative chef in the A&D kitchen; see his take on the Proust Questionnaire below!
 
1.    Who is your ultimate hero?
a.    My mother, I admire her very much because she raised my sister and me by herself and was always very loving
2.    What’s your favourite cuisine?
a.    I love the food from my home, the Philippines: mix of sweet, salty and spicy.          I love to cook and share with others, especially people from different nationalities. I enjoy it very much!
3.    What do you consider your greatest achievement?
a.    Even when I am far away from my daughters, I know have given them a good life; they are two very happy girls and outstanding students
4.    What’s the most importance possession you own?
a.    My skills to be a good friend and to enjoy being creative and artistic at my work
5.    What is your motto?
a.    Live life to the fullest
6.    What is your idea of perfect happiness?
a.    Time spent being close to my family
7.    Your favourite ingredient in the kitchen to use?
a.    Flour 
8.    In contrast, what do you consider the most overrated ingredient?
a.    Vanilla essence, it overpowers the taste
9.    What is your most prominent characteristic?
a.    Playful 
10.    What do you value most in people?
a.    Friendship
11.    If your friends described you in one word, what would it be?
a.    Happy
12.    What is your favourite thing to eat?
a.    Chicharron (pork belly)
13.    What is one of your fondest memories?
a.    The two days when I met my two daughters for the first time.
14.    Where is your favourite place in the world? 
a.    My house in the Philippines
15.    What do you think are the essential qualities that make a good chef?
a.    Thinking of different possibilities with passion for the creations that you cook
16.    What do you have in your fridge at home?
a.    Onions, pork, chilli sauce and soy sauce
17.    What is your most common phrase?
a.    What goes around comes around
18.    What is your state of mind when cooking?   
a.    If I can’t serve it to my mom, I can’t serve it to the guest
19.    Your favourite beverage?
a.    Beer
20.    What is a talent you wish you had?
a.    Being a good swimmer

If you’re interested in seeing Nick in action, join us at our any of our Boulangerie Brunches or swing by and try one of the desserts – they are to die for!