It’s Sophie’s birthday! To celebrate, we couldn’t resist asking our foodie queen a few tasty questions. Expect a lot of chilli chat… we mean a lot — she loves life spicy…

What’s your ultimate comfort food? The one thing you’d eat in your PJs on a lazy Sunday?
Pizza! Spicy, pepperoni pizza is my go to, especially for a takeaway, it travels better than most foods and I can dip the crusts into whatever concoction I feel like making, whether that be a soy, sriracha mayo or just delicious olive oil and balsamic. Crusts are basically edible spoons for sauce; no notes!

What’s the most surprising ingredient you’ve fallen in love with? Something you never expected to enjoy cooking with?
I suppose I would say chilli. Although perhaps not ‘surprising’ as such, I used to be a korma girl whereas now you can hit me up with a vindaloo. My husband and I are big on our chillies and spicy food, so they are a big part to play in our house and the food we eat. During lockdown, we were in the flow of creating a spicy sauce company but my desire for bland food, when I got pregnant, nipped that in the bud – although we do make spicy sauces still and we have a chilli plant by our front door, which supplies some of our dishes. We should take this opportunity to mention an Avenue favourite we use on our Pizza Workshop, the Banhoek Chilli Oil – game changer! 

What’s your ultimate cooking hack that’ll totally level up your kitchen game?
Enjoy it! I know it’s not the ‘hack’ you meant but people find cooking so stressful or burdensome, and I can too sometimes if I’m not in the right frame of mind. I suggest setting the scene to cook, whether that be declutter your work surface, put some music on and/or pour yourself a glass of wine, not only will you enjoy it but I guarantee, because you are enjoying it, you will up your kitchen game too! We’ll drink to that!

You have a £50 budget at the supermarket to whip up a dinner party, what’s on the menu?
To kick start I’d do Sticky Mango Paneer followed by some form of spicy curry, slow cooked probably so I don’t have to cook while people are there. I’d serve it with Black Onion Seed Naan brushed with Garlic and Coriander Butter and a Lemon Poha Rice (which is traditionally served for breakfast but I love it as a more interesting rice). For pudding I’d do Cardamon Yoghurt Pots with Pomegranate Seeds and Al Rabih Pomegranate Molasses (this brand has a lovely sour tang which I love!) Big fan of our Indian Classes is Sophie

We all love a cheeky takeaway now and then – what’s your go-to spot in London when you’re too tired to cook?
We tend to go to Yard Sale Pizza, and yes, you guessed it, I go for a Spicy Pepperoni pizza, specifically their Unholy Pepperoni (minus honey as I’m just not on board with honey on my pizza) Sweet toppings, be gone!

Imagine it’s your dream birthday meal – what’s on the menu, and where are you eating it?
Although this year I am doing a spread of picky food at ours so people can graze throughout and numbers don’t matter, last year I booked a table at Finsbury Park’s institution that is Pizza Pappagone’s. It hit the spot because it is a great relaxed vibe, perfect for a group of friends to hang out and not worry too much about a crazy bill at the end! Also, as it’s just 2 minutes from our house, meaning it’s quick to get home to carry on the party! That’s party logistics done right 

Are there any foodie rules or trends you think are just total nonsense? (Looking at you, gold-leaf on everything…)
Bonito flakes – ok they look cool but the flavour is not for me. Avocado on Toast – you can’t charge £12-15 for this, it’s daylight robbery! Matcha, I mean yuck! Also ye, honey on pizza – not my thing! Just a few then

If you could swap jobs with any chef in the world for one day, who would it be, and why?
Jamie Oliver, to push his work and try to make a change on food and education to schools. It winds me up that kids aren’t taught anything about food and that schools can have Fish & Chip Fridays while serving sweet puddings every day!

London’s packed with amazing restaurants – what’s your top hidden gem that we all need to try?
The Avenue Cookery School – haha. Seriously though, there’s a reason why I created the classes we offer, if I didn’t own the school I would be its biggest customer! Food, wine, laughs, good music and 100 different menus, what restaurant can offer that!? You can watch Sophie enjoy a night with her mates on our Indian Cooking Class here 

Lastly, what is your food nemesis?
Lamb and goat products or stinky cheeses! Funky flavours of this sort aren’t my thing sadly. I love the look or idea of some of the dishes you can create but I just can’t hack the flavour.

Happy Birthday, Sophie, here’s to another year of good food, great laughs, and maybe just one more slice of pizza!