Interview with Orla McAndrew, multi award winning event caterer, chef & mama

Tell me a bit about yourself, where you are from and what was your upbringing?

I am the second of four. Born in Roscommon in 1979, Moved to London in 1989 to 1999. Back to Cork then.

Growing up, I was always with my mum in the kitchen. And loved nothing more than helping my granny bake bread. My dad wasn’t the best so being with my mum and granny in the kitchen was a real sanctuary.

What was your favourite food/dish growing up?

Pork casserole! From a Knorr mix!

Was there anything you disliked?

Liver and celery

Any food memories, fond or otherwise?

Mum bringing in pots of stew at lunchtime in primary school. Big steaming brown pot of

lovely hot stew, and we sat in the car to eat it.

What’s your favourite meal now? To cook? I love to create sharing platters/tapas/small bites

To eat? Middle eastern flavours, Iranian, Palestinian, Lebanese, Turkish

Your death row meal? Iranian starters platter.

Kitchen appliance you wouldn’t be without? Magimix!

The one ingredient you wouldn’t be without? Garlic.

Three ingredients, one dish..what is it?

Scallops, black pudding, peas.

Do you prefer to cook or to be cooked for?

Cook!

Who cooks in your house? Me

Do your children cook, bake? Yes, they love to be with me in the kitchen and are learning lots of good skills

What is your go to family meal?

Roast potatoes, loads of veggies and some kind of roast meat, or Bolognese/chilli/lasagne

Have you any tips to make life easier? Stock your freezer with lots of delicious food, homemade goujons, sausage rolls, pesto, tapenade, lasagne, bolognese etc so there’s always something if you’re in a hurry. Also get to know and love your larder. Find recipes that work using only store cupboard ingredients!

Do you have any tips to make food tastier? Patience, seasoning, love.

Healthier? Avoid processed foods where possible and get to know your producers at markets if possible. Try to avoid chemically grown foods. Really question where food comes from and what is actually in it?

To save on food waste? Use what you buy! Buy well in the first place and you will be far less likely to throw it out therefore actually saving you money in the long run.

What is your embarrassing food secret/indulgence?

I don’t really have one to be honest. I’ve really wracked my brain on this but nope!