It’s happening again… it’s the Big Avenue Birthday Questionnaire, and who is it this time..? It’s no other than our wonderful Sophie!! (Getting better with age, like a fine wine eh?) 🍷😉

1) 2021… another challenging year but what have been your highlights?

Having a child for sure has been the top highlight – can’t believe she’s almost a year old!

The other is life getting back to normality, I love London when it’s buzzing… I just hope it stays that way especially as Christmas is round the corner and I’m sure I’m not the only one dying for a family Christmas – this will be the first time in 5 years my mother, 3 siblings and I will have all been in one place, not to mention the addition of my daughter, Aily and 3-year-old niece and 5 year old nephew! 🤞🏽👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🎄😬

2) With the school opening back up, has that inspired you to learn some new recipes and if so, what?

Not so much because the school has opened up, but having had a bit of a dip in wanting to cook when I was pregnant, I’m loving getting experimental again. I’m a sucker for spicy food and in particular Asian so a lot of that is going on!

3) What are you looking forward to most in 2022?

I know it may sound silly but having come back to work full time in September I have a new lease for my excitement with watching our business grow – just watching more people join us and their positive reviews – it really is rewarding, and I look forward to seeing more of that in 2022.

4) What’s the plan for this birthday? Big celebration or quiet night in?

I’m not really one for a quiet night in but this year in particular will be fun as I am holding a private party for 20 friends at the school. It will be the first time I’ve held a private event there so that will be fun!

5) If you were on a desert island and could only bring 3 things, what would they be and why?

I’ll let you be the judge if these are ‘things’ but …

  1. A comfortable bed – I have been known as the princess and the pea at times because a comfortable bed – feather pillow in particular – makes such a difference to a good night sleep, so this would be a must for me so I can feel fresh after a good night’s sleep and bear the brunt of the difficulties the island has to offer
  2. An extensive tool kit – for obvious reasons
  3. A well-stocked larder – I could then make even the most rubbish island fresh ingredients taste good

6) If you had to be a chef at the school for 1 day, what would you teach and why?

Standing up in front of a class fills me with fear so probably the Middle Eastern Class because I wrote it and know it well so would hopefully breeze through it more than others

7) If you could dine with any celebrity, who would it be and why, and what kind of grub would you be eating?

I was talking about this recently and although I was deciding for a bigger dinner party my new addition was Louis Theroux and I think he would be a strong favourite for a 1:1 as well – I love the way he is so open as well as asking deep questions without (obvious) judgement. I have watched a lot of his documentaries and listened to his podcasts and feel there would be a lot to talk about.

I’d make a spread of my favourite dishes sharing style – this is how I love to eat and I think he’d actually give me his honest opinion in a non dicky* way.

*can I say dicky!?

8) Do you prefer baking or cooking? Which one do you think you’re best at?

Cooking for sure – I am not a baker at all (although I did a fair bit during my pregnancy 🍫🍪🍩), I’m terrible at following a recipe and think, unless you know how to bake, you need to follow a recipe as it is more scientific than cooking. So ye, definitely best at cooking than baking!

9) In a zombie apocalypse, using The Avenue team that you have around you, who are you taking on your survival team and why? 

Well… it’s got to be my husband Shanga (aka Niv). I mean, firstly I think it would be pretty insulting if I didn’t choose him but also, we live, work and raise a child together and so far we have done pretty well as a team so he would be the most risk free option.

10) What is the most embarrassing fashion trend you used to rock?

I think there are a few but the worst I can think of has to be trackie bums and a wide belt – honestly who does that! (Wow, that’s quite a unique look there, Soph… I think we’re going to need photographic proof 🤣)

 

Thanks Sophie! We hope you have a fantastic birthday, celebrating in true Avenue style!! 🍾🥂🥳