Revelations: Mehak Kansal, founder, Bindas Eatery, London
We delve into the life and inner thoughts of a top chef. This week: Mehak Kansal, founder, Bindas Eatery, London
What was your best subject at school?
Philosophy
What was your first job?
As a sales assistant selling clothes
What was your first job in catering?
Actually in my own restaurant!
What do you normally have for breakfast?
I usually just have a flat white and maybe an oat bar. However, my ideal breakfast would be a smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese, fresh dill and capers
What do you do to relax?
I ride my horse
Which is your favourite restaurant?
A Wong in London
What's your favourite hotel?
Leela Palace in Udaipur –the whole Leela chain is incredible
What is your favourite drink?
A kumquat margarita made with mezcal
What is your favourite food?
I love all Asian flavours but Indonesian, Thai, Chinese or Malaysian... OK, basically everything!
Which ingredient do you hate the most?
Octopus and squid
What flavour combinations do you detest?
Peanut butter and jam – I mean, why would you want to eat that?
What do you always carry with you?
A medicine pouch and Kiehl's hand cream
How would you describe your desk?
Immaculate, honestly my paperwork, files and pads are always organised
Which person in catering have you most admired?
Nisha Katona
Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?
I was my own inspiration. I was in a dark period of my life when I started this journey. Cooking used to be my therapy and it was a passion project turned career
Cast away on a desert island, what luxury would you take?
I would take air conditioning – if the UK freak tropical weather has taught me anything, it is the value of air conditioning
If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?
Buying and flipping property
Describe your ultimate nightmare?
I do not want to say what it is as all I will be doing is putting it out there in the universe!