Has the way you cooked changed since having kids?
When it was just us, we had more dinner parties, with lots of posh cheffy plated courses... now it’s much more relaxed, family-style service. The food is put in the middle of the table - something like homemade pastas and delicious salads. It’s much more interactive and makes for a casual and low maintenance night, leaving much more time for fun.
What’s the biggest misconception about ‘family’ cooking?
Probably that there’s no time for it people’s mad-busy lives! It’s so much easier to make time than you think. Even if it’s just making pancakes - all you need is flour, milk and eggs - you can really kids get kids engaged in picking sweet and savoury toppings and fillings, so everyone will be happy.
What are your kids’ favourite things to cook?
Homemade pizza’s so much fun; everyone’s favourites in my house are the Chelsea pizza buns in my book Cook with Kids.
What would be your ultimate three-course dinner for Father’s Day?
Sweetcorn fritters are one of my favourite starters; so flavour-packed and fun to make, great for vegetarians, too. As a main, I’d love chicken katsu curry, jasmine rice, and pickled cucumber salad. It’s a real family favourite, and again, so easy to follow. It can be made in advance, too, so all you have to do is pan fry the chicken at the last minute,which will mean plenty of family time around the table. For pudding, my perfect picnic possets are nice and fresh, and great to eat outdoors if you have a picnic planned.
As a busy Dad, what’s the biggest help in the kitchen?
A keen washer-upper is always great, even if it costs you!
If you could be given any present for Father’s Day, what would it be?
A jar of salted caramel and shortbread is the perfect homemade present; so good for dunking!
If someone wanted to spoil their Dad, which meal would you advise them to make?
To be honest, it’s hard to beat a good steak and chips for a Saturday night treat, or a classic English breakfast brought up on a Sunday morning with the papers - perfect!
Father’s Day is obviously a special day, but year round, what’s the easiest and most productive way of getting the whole family in the kitchen?
Involve them; get each member to do a course for dinner, or before any special event such as Easter, Halloween, Christmas or birthdays, get all the family to make edible gifts that everyone will love.
What’s the best meal your family have ever cooked for you?
A Sunday roast lunch. It’s less about the food, more about how it gets us all around the table with laughter and lots and lots of love.