Leigh Diggins Interview
Interview & Biography
Top chef Leigh Diggins is based at Island Restaurant & Bar in London's Lancaster Gate. Leigh focuses on the very best of modern British cuisine, using fresh seasonal produce from the British Isles. He sources his ingredients on a daily basis and his menus constantly change to reflect the passing seasons.
Inspired by the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar, Leigh created a special nautical dish to celebrate SeaBritain 2005.
What is your most memorable childhood 'food' memory?
When I was about 3 or 4 years old and my mother gave me some instant mash potato – the smell and taste was absolutely revolting and I have not gone near the stuff ever since.
Otherwise, picking fresh blackberries and apples from the garden and then making fruit pies with my father who could not cook at all but loved making pies and making an enormous mess - much to my mother's annoyance.
What's your favourite food or ingredient 'on your doorstep'?
In London, you have to hunt around for naturally growing ingredients but picking stinging nettles in the local park is a great and prickly find – they make great pea and nettle soup or nettle and smoked haddock risotto.
What is your favourite food secret?
Getting fabulous locally grown produce from Secrett's Farm in Milford, Surrey. They have fantastic quality ingredients from asparagus to fresh leaves to duck eggs!
What food would you travel for (within the UK)?
I would go to North Norfolk to pick samphire from the coast then have a bowl of Brancaster mussels, then get up in the morning to have a clay-smoked kipper.
What is your favourite seasonal food?
- Spring: English asparagus and broad beans with new season lamb.
- Summer: gooseberries put into a brioche charlotte served with clotted cream.
- Autumn: bowl of deep fried freshly caught spratts with Malden seasalt and fresh lemon.
- Winter: saddle of Denham estate venison roasted with salsify.
What is your favourite local food shop?
There's a great farm shop called Garsons in Esher, Surrey, which has great Pick-Your-Own fruit and vegetables, a deli with British cheeses and locally-produced preserves and groceries.
What is your favourite eating place?
London has so many great restaurants but I love driving to the coast finding a quaint little pub serving seafood and sitting outside smelling the sea air and eating fresh fish.
What is your favourite UK pub?
In London I like local pubs like the Hope & Anchor in Waterloo and The Earl Spencer in Southfields.
What is your favourite dish or recipe?
My favourite dish is my wife's roast dinner, simply done, with fantastic roast potatoes – I don't have to do anything...apart from the washing-up!
Name an inspirational food or drink person? Why?
Philip Britten, then of the Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, has been the most inspirational chef in my career. Philip taught me how to be passionate about food and to constantly learn and pay attention to detail.