Name: Maryam Alnusif
Restaurant: Tampopo Ramen Shop
Title: Owner/Chef

QUICK FIRE

My Breakfast: In season Goat Labneh with olive oil, sourdough, sundried tomatoes and chili flakes.
My Knives: A few kinds, all named after friends.
Most overused spice: Black pepper’s sexy cousin Szechuan.
Favorite Foodie Destination: Tokyo.
Favorite Kitchen Gadget: Cling film, soft spatula, knife.
Favorite Food Aroma: Burnt fat.

Why did you first get into cooking?
Twenty years ago, a chalet guest’s Italian wife cooking Arrabbiata and risotto, I loved the way she was in the kitchen and the energy; everybody cooking all together.

Describe your favorite dish?
I can’t answer that!

Name three ingredients you can’t live without in the kitchen?
Salt, citrus, fat.

What is the most important part of a sandwich?
After discovering sourdough; bread!

What’s your favorite sauce of all time?
That’s not fair, you can’t ask me that!

How does your personality differ inside and outside the kitchen?
I’m much nicer outside the kitchen.

If you weren’t a chef, what would you like to be?
A surfer!

If you could choose, what would your “last supper” be?
A bowl of ramen which is like a hug on the inside.

What do you think will be the biggest food trend of 2019?
No idea, I hope it’s not ramen… (laughs).