Cart
Photography: courtesy of HOME
Leeds, UK
Name:
Chef Liz Cottam
Restaurant:
HOME
Location:
Leeds, UK
Social Media: @cheflizcottam / @home_leeds
HOME in the city centre of Leeds in the UK, has a stunning look any interior magazine would be proud to showcase. Paired with seasonal, multi-course tasting menus featuring locally sourced produce from the likes of the Harewood Estate, it’s no surprise that this relaxed, warm restaurant rates so highly not only on the Leeds food scene, but across the UK. We are delighted to profile Chef Liz Cottam (one half of the amazing chef duo that lead HOME) as our Chef Works September Chef of the Month. Although only appearing on MasterChef UK in 2016, her passion, creativity and cooking ability have culminated with the warm welcome of Home.
1. Your restaurant/business:
HOME Restaurant, 16/17 Kirkgate, Leeds, UK.
2. Describe your kitchen:
An environment of constant change, full of very young, very talented, very ambitious chefs. There’s an emphasis on communication which leads to an almost serene, respectful space where everybody works seamlessly without hierarchy or shouting.
3. Favourite Chef Works item and why:
The Springfield Essential Chef Coat – it’s lightweight, contemporary and it’s good at keeping you cool. A great addition to the Morocco Chef Coat I am pictured in.
4. First job:
Waiting tables in my Mum & Dad’s pub in Tong, Leeds, UK.
5. Your favourite cookbook?
Eleven Madison Park by Will Guidara – it mirrors my own style and philosophy of cooking.
6. Your awards?
Watch this space!
7. Your cooking inspiration?
It comes from everywhere – memories, things I eat, wine, works of art; anything can ignite that spark that can go on to became a dish.
8. Your speciality dish?
I don’t really believe in speciality dishes – our menu changes every month, to avoid getting set in our ways and stay seasonal.
9. Favourite dish to eat?
A Chinese takeaway – the naughtier, the better.
10. Weirdest thing you ever ate?
At the three-star Michelin restaurant, Alinea in Chicago I ate their apple taffy Edible Helium Balloon – it doesn’t get much weirder than floating food!
11. Favourite ice cream flavour?
Impossible to answer – that’s like saying “what’s your favourite wine?”
12. Favourite drink?
Wine…
13. Favourite wine?
Again, like the ice cream question, impossible! However, the favourite wines I’m drinking right now are white Burgundies after a recent trip.
14. Who would you most like to cook for?
Marcus Wareing, again. I cooked for him on MasterChef and need to put it right, so would welcome that opportunity.
15. Who would you least like to cook for?
Marcus Wareing, again…
16. Favourite things to do when not cooking?
Drink wine and snowboard (not necessarily at the same time!).
17. Your latest project?
Essay. Restaurant number two.
18. Favourite city and why?
Amsterdam. I love the way it looks and feels and the attitudes of the people. The emphasis on interior style and most of all, the restaurants there.
19. Your greatest indulgence?
Where do I start? Flying to Chicago specifically to go for dinner at Alinea felt fairly indulgent.
20. Your all time best culinary tip:
See above…