Revelations: Jude Sam, head chef Apothecary East, London

10 November 2022
Revelations: Jude Sam, head chef Apothecary East, London

We delve into the life and inner thoughts of a top chef. This week: Jude Sam, head chef Apothecary East, London

What was your best subject at school?

Maths. I like numbers nearly as much as I like food

What was your first job?

Working in a liquor store

What was your first job in catering?

I was a trainee chef at the five-star Oberoi hotel in Mumbai

What do you normally have for breakfast?

Spicy fried eggs

Which is your favourite restaurant?

The Arts Club in Mayfair. The service and food are exceptional. I am also a huge fan of the Ananthapuram, a Keralan restaurant in East Ham

What's your favourite hotel?

Charlotte Street hotel, London

What is your favourite drink?

Pisco sour. The first one I ever drank at Coya Mayfair blew me away

Which ingredient do you hate the most?

I don't dislike any ingredients as I am very inquisitive and like to continuously work with different ingredients and combinations. The only item I am not keen on is bitter olive oil

Which person in catering have you most admired?

Jean-Luc Mongodin, executive chef at the Arts Club. How he mentors and manages more than 50 chefs is incredible

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

Nicholas Moore, ex-executive chef at CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. He had a great presence

What daily newspaper/website do you read?

Daily Mail

If not yourself, who would you rather have been?

A comedian – Micky Flanagan perhaps

If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?

Probably an accountant

Describe your ultimate nightmare?

A kitchen porter does not show up for their shift

What's your favourite film?

The Rookie

What's your favourite book?

The French Laundry

What is your favourite prepared product?

Mayonnaise

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