Features
By
Karolina W.
Come behind the scenes at Dine & Dash for a #KitchenTour
My favourite thing about this kitchen are two big windows. They let in lots of natural light and allow me to use the space as a studio for food photography. They’re overlooking a busy Shoreditch street, which our friends absolutely love that when they come over.
Tell us about your kitchen?
This open plan living room/dining room/kitchen is the biggest space in our cosy apartment and it’s definitely the heart of the place. It’s also where I work, either recipe writing or editing images by an old wooden table, or making, styling and shooting food. It’s a very comfortable workspace. We often have friends over for dinner, board game night or just a cup of coffee when they’re in the neighbourhood.
What have you done to make your kitchen cosy, functional, beautiful or inspiring?
It’s a rented apartment, so my options were pretty limited. But my boyfriend and I chose this place because of its charm. We fell in love with old wooden floors, slightly bizarre white and blue tiles and the beautiful light. All the furniture is ours. It’s mostly wooden and comes from car-boot sales and flea markets, like a large wooden table that used to a college dining table in Cambridge. I added my collection of wooden boards, volcanic stone mortars brought from Indonesia, old spice grinder from my home in Poland, copper tray bought in Morocco.
How do you keep organized while cooking?
I’m actually very organized, as preparing food for photo shoots is a part of my job. I tend to be the same when I cook at home: have a clear plan in my head, prep in advance, tidy as I go and make good use of every spare moment.
Any tips & tricks for organising your pantry, fridge and ingredients?
I don’t have any particular organising tips, as I tend to buy small quantities of food wherever I need them. Living in central London I’ve got a good selection of stores nearby, so I end up being a minimalist when it comes to grocery shopping.
Do you do a lot of cooking and what are your favourite dishes to make?
I don’t cook every day, but I do it quite often. During the week I usually whip up quick vegan dishes: stir fries, simple curries, noodle salads and roasted vegetables. I enjoy spending more time in the kitchen during the weekend and that’s when I tend to be more creative. I love long weekend breakfasts and enjoy having people over for dinner. Asian food is my favourite at the moment. I recreate Thai and Vietnamese dishes, experiment with recipes I brought from Bali or create a feast of Asian-style tapas.
Where do you turn for new recipe ideas?
I use all sorts of sources. Again, recipe development is a part of my job, so I seek inspiration everywhere: food blogs and magazines, cookery books, restaurants, street vendors, specialty shops and, of course, travel - as often as possible.
Do you plan out your recipes for the week or do you like to be spontaneous?
I’m definitely spontaneous!
If you had three wishes, what would you do to make this your dream kitchen?
I wouldn’t mind changing top cabinets for open shelving, having a gas stovetop instead of electric plate hob and adding a beautiful marble countertop.
Whose kitchen would you love to explore? Send us a message!
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