A Moment With: Michelin chef Benn Hodges

What influences do you draw upon to fuel your creativity?
I love being in a super relaxing spot, somewhere in nature when I'm creating food. I'm from Australia, so this would ideally be on a warm beach, but these are in short supply in the UK. I have a really nice spot near my house in Highgate Woods, where I like to sit to think about food and the direction of cuisine at EatFirst.
 
What is your current passion project?
My latest project has been working on the perfect poached egg for our diners to re-heat at home. I created the EatFirst eggs royale. It's delivered completely chilled. It was a real challenge to nail the preparation of cooking the eggs, bearing in mind they would need to be re-heated, and not over cooked. Also Hollandaise sauce doesn't do too well when cold. So, I developed a completely butter free, healthy Hollandaise sauce. The result is a perfect eggs royale with beautiful, runny egg yolks.

What is your idea of food Heaven? Food Hell?
My death row meal is and always will be steak tartare. My food heaven is for sure somewhere in the Mediterranean. My summer holiday this year was on the Amalfi Coast, Capri and one week on Sardinia. The Amalfi Coast has amazing fresh seafood, burrata, limoncello, courgette flowers and beautiful fresh San Marzano tomatoes. It's amazing be able to eat these super lush, seasonal products for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Inspirational quote that you live by?
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”  - Virginia Woolf

What city do you find the most:
-Inspirational? Copenhagen 
-Invigorating? Marrakech 
-Relaxing? Sydney 
-Like your home away from home? London

Favourite ‘blow the bank account’ place you like to stay when you’re treating yourself?
Four Seasons - Saint Jean Cap Ferrat

Favourite restaurant in the world?
Quay - Sydney 

Favourite holiday memory?
Swimming in the Mediterranean for the first time in Manarola.

What are your must-have travel essentials?

• The latest addition of Gourmet Traveller 
• Sunglasses 
• A huge beach towel
• Campari 

What is your next adventure?
I'm planning a trip to Scandinavia before Christmas. Amsterdam and Copenhagen are some of my favourite food cities in the world.  
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