Happy Birthday Niv!
We grilled the birthday boy on everything from his dream dinner to his food nemesis. Turns out, pasta is king, fennel is forgiven, and black liquorice is very much not invited.

What’s your ultimate comfort food? The one thing you’d eat in your PJs on a lazy Sunday?
My ultimate comfort food, hands down, has to be a big bowl of pasta. There’s just something so inherently comforting about it. Even the simplest, quickest recipes can be absolutely amazing if you load them up with flavour. If I had to pick just one for a lazy Sunday in my PJs, it would definitely be a rich and creamy Spinach & Salmon Pappardelle. Pure bliss! Can confirm: there’s no discomfort that pappardelle can’t fix.

What’s the most surprising ingredient you’ve fallen in love with? Something you never expected to enjoy cooking with?
The most surprising ingredient I’ve completely fallen for has to be fennel. I honestly used to detest it! But then my wonderful wife (shout out to my boss at The Avenue Cookery School!) introduced me to the school’s Prawn & Fennel Salad. That dish was a total game-changer for me, I was a changed man! Since then, we’ve started incorporating it into quite a few dishes. It brings such a fantastic combination of crunch, freshness, and unique flavour that I’ve truly learned to appreciate. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but one I’m so glad I acquired! That salad works miracles indeed!

What’s your ultimate cooking hack that’ll totally level up your kitchen game?
Hands down – fish sauce – that level of saltiness and umami rounds up every dish!

We all love a cheeky takeaway now and then – what’s your go-to spot in London when you’re too tired to cook?
For those nights when cooking feels like an impossible task, our cheeky takeaway indulgence is almost always a pizza. In London, my unwavering favourite is Yard Sale Pizza. Honestly, their dough is a game-changer – it’s consistently fantastic and makes for the perfect too tired-to-cook meal!
YSP is the GOAT!

Imagine it’s your dream birthday meal – what’s on the menu, and where are you eating it?
My dream birthday meal isn’t just about the food, it’s about the entire experience. To truly elevate it, I’d be on a yacht in the Caribbean, preferably somewhere breathtakingly beautiful. The day would involve spearfishing (which will also help build that hunger!) – ideally with a pro guide who can also handle the cleaning and cooking! – to catch a decent-sized tuna.

That fresh catch would transform into two incredible dishes: a delicate Sashimi as our starter, followed by a rich, creamy, and coconut-infused fish curry with rice. For dessert? It has to be a perfectly executed molten lava cake – simply the best way to end any meal.

And, of course, this entire feast would be enjoyed right there on the yacht, ideally during a spectacular sunset, paired with a fantastic wine. It’s about combining adventure, incredible fresh food, and pure indulgence in the perfect setting. Some people want cake and candles. Others want spearfishing and sashimi. Respect

Are there any foodie rules or trends you think are just total nonsense? (Looking at you, gold-leaf on everything…)
Okay, prepare for an unpopular opinion that might spark some serious debate, but for me, the most nonsensical foodie trend is the obsession with dark chocolate. I’ve had more than a few late-night, wine-fueled arguments trying to explain why I think it’s just…rubbish. Honestly, I see it as a complete trend. For me, chocolate is about that simple, unadulterated sweetness hit, and the bitter contrast in dark chocolate just doesn’t deliver. While I get that it hits a different spot for others, I clearly lack that ‘bitter itch’ – which also explains why I steer clear of bitter foods and drinks like Negronis etc (which is another trend I can’t get behind!). Dark chocolate and Negronis: you’ve been officially uninvited from Richard’s party then!

London’s packed with amazing restaurants – what’s your top hidden gem that we all need to try?
I am very rarely taken aback by a dish but a very small and unpretentious place called Plan B has won me over. We ordered a few things there but their Aubergine Brûlée was unbelievable. The mix of BBQ char, creaminess and the sweetness of the brûlée worked very well together and I was blown away. Definitely worth a try! Aubergine Brûlée? Next stop…Plan B!

Lastly, what is your food nemesis?
I’m going to say black liquorice. That intensely strong, anise-like flavour, particularly in something that feels to me should be sweet, is just overwhelming to me. I appreciate that some people (including Diana darling!) love it, but for me, it’s a definite no-go. Funny enough, I quite like anise flavour alcohol drinks… Plot twist: hates liquorice, loves ouzo.

Here’s to more food discoveries, less  fennel and birthdays spent exactly where you want to be –  plate in hand, preferably on a yacht!