Chef of the Week: Cidalia Andrade – Head Chef at The White Haus in Farringdon, London
How long have you worked at your current restaurant?
One and a half years.
Where did your passion for cooking come from and where did you learn your skills?
I have a family background of chefs.
What do you enjoy most about being a chef?
Passion for cooking and teaching.
Name three ingredients you couldn’t cook without.
Lemon, olive oil and garlic.
Which piece of kitchen equipment couldn’t you live without?
The grill.
What food trends are you spotting at the moment?
Mediterranean, French and Portuguese cuisine.
What do you think is a common mistake that lets chefs down?
Lack of preparation with mise en place.
What is your favourite time of year for food, and why?
Christmas, because it’s a festive season.
Which of your dishes are you most proud of?
I’m proud of all the dishes I make.
How do you come up with new dishes?
Research and family recipes.
Who was your greatest influence?
Simon Young.
Tell us three chefs you admire.
Gordon Ramsay, Adam Perry Lang and Simon Young.
What is your favourite cookbook?
Gordon Ramsay and Adam Perry Lang.
Who do you think are the chefs to watch over the next few months?
Monica Galleti.
What’s been your favourite new restaurant opening of the last year?
Bacchanalia London.
