What is one meal that should always be on any menu?
Liam: That’s easy. A good roast dinner – it’s a British classic tradition – I have one every Sunday.
Phil: For me, it’s all about British classics too – but I couldn’t pick one, so it’s got to be either Roast Beef or Cottage Pie.
Do you have a favourite ingredient from the store cupboard?
Phil: I have two: Salt and Lemon juice. Both are flavour enhancers and can be used to lift all sorts of flavours, savoury or sweet.
Liam: Chilli – anything with Chilli! I love to add kick and spice to any meal.
What is the most essential item in your kitchen?
Phil: Speaking literally, I have to say knives and a dishwasher. I couldn’t do my job without them!
Liam: That’s true. I think, apart from usual knives and essentials, that a hand blender is a great piece of equipment. I use it for stocks, sauces, etc. and it can help you be even more creative with your cooking and flavours.
I’m sure like most of us, you’ve felt the pressure in the kitchen on a few occasions! But what’s the largest number of people you’ve cooked for?
Liam: Got to be Wiltshire Farm Foods Awards Evenings.
Phil: We held an event when we won our first Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2006, I cooked for 175 people – including the Duke of Kent who was visiting our kitchen. It was a real honour and a privilege.
Finally, if you could invite anyone to a dinner party, who would be your top guests?
Phil: My top three dinner party guests would be; Peter Kay (he’s a funny man and we’re both from Bolton), Martin Johnson (I’ve always been a big rugby supporter) and Sir Ranulph Fiennes (the British explorer - he’s always been another idol as he’s just one of a kind).
Liam: Russell Howards! He’s a great news/stand-up comedian – he’s just brilliantly entertaining and so funny. What more could you need at a dinner party!