Chef, Food Writer & Podcast Host, Margie Nomura

In the latest instalment of The Handbook’s Tastemakers Series, we chat to chef, food writer and one of our favourite podcasters, Margie Nomura.People tend to use the phrase “lightbulb moment” too often, but that is exactly what Margie Nomura had when she came up with the idea for her captivating podcast series. It was six years ago when the idea popped into her head, completely out of nowhere in the car. SO sure that she was on to something, she had to pull over to do a quick Google and make sure no one else had got there first. Thankfully they hadn’t and two weeks later, the first episode of Desert Island Dishes was recorded.

If you haven’t yet listened, we strongly recommend you do. It’s Margie’s passion for food, impressive knowledge of ingredients and cuisines, and her overall ability to dig deep into her guests’ lives, memories and feelings through the power of food that makes it so unique and slightly addictive. That magic recipe has since landed her a smorgasbord of impressive guests, from top chefs like Tom Aikens to icons like Twiggy, foodie influencers like Max La Manna to the inimitable, martini-loving Stanley Tucci.

We sat down with Margie to find out what she makes for Sunday lunch, where does the best pancakes in London, why pesto pasta will always have a special place in her heart and much much more…

Tell us about your podcast, Desert Island Dishes…

I sit down with a different guest each week and discuss the seven dishes that have shaped their lives. We find out about the food that means the most to them, and it’s filled with delicious inspiration. We also find out about the people behind the food and get an insight into their life, which you wouldn’t necessarily get in another interview. So far this season, I’ve sat down with the likes of Twiggy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and John Torode to uncover their seminal dishes and what each one means to them.

Who is your dream interview you’re yet to get?

There are so many to choose from but I would definitely start with Nigella, Nigel Slater and Joanna Lumley. They’d have some amazing stories to go with their dishes as they’ve all led such interesting lives. I would also want to have the host of the iconic Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, on because she’s just so inspiring and I’ve admired her and her work ever since I can remember.

I also really like the idea of using the podcast as a platform to talk to lesser-known people doing brilliant things. The questions I ask aren’t only interesting if you’re famous, everyone has their own unique answers and that’s what makes the podcast unique. I don’t think it’s possible to listen and not think about how you would answer the questions yourself.

You always ask your guests who their dinner party guest list would be but who would you choose?

I always find it so hard when people ask me my own questions. I feel like, having done the podcast for so long, people expect my answers to be really good, so I feel pressure!

At the moment, I have two young children and work is busier than ever so I’m tempted to say I’d invite five of my closest friends as I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like! But, if I could truly pick anyone for a dream dinner party I would say Nigella, Stanley Tucci, Joanna Lumley, Serena Williams and Ed Sheeran.

Do you have any great book recommendations you can share?

The last book I read was Lessons in Chemistry and I absolutely loved it. They are adapting it for the screen and I can’t wait to see it, the cast looks amazing.

What are your top three cookbooks?

My go-to cookbook isn’t really a cookbook at all. My mum has these amazing scrapbooks of recipes that she’s collected over the years and every week she goes through these recipes and decides what she’s going to cook for the week ahead. I love looking at them and I find them a constant source of inspiration. I have piles of recipes torn out of magazines and newspapers but I’m not as organised as my mum.

I rarely cook from recipe books, but I do love reading them. If I had to pick my top three, it would be anything by Elizabeth David, Julia Child and Nigel Slater and I think Claire Thompson of the 5 O’clock Apron is an amazing cookery writer. I love all her books as well.

 

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

If I had to choose, it would be something like the pasta my husband made me after my first daughter was born. She was born a week into the first lockdown in 2020 and we weren’t allowed any visitors. It was a very strange time to have a baby. It was just the three of us, all alone in our little house, and my husband was in charge of the cooking. The first thing he made me when we got back from the hospital was an incredibly simple pasta with homemade pesto. He brought it up to the bedroom on a tray and we ate it together as we looked at our new baby. The world was in chaos with Covid and it was a scary time, but I will never forget that feeling of pure happiness. Life had changed forever and pesto pasta will always make me think of that time.

Life had changed forever and pesto pasta will always make me think of that time.

Where is great for breakfast or brunch in London?

Probably Grainger and Co. They have the best pancakes.

What does Sunday lunch look like to you?

The perfect Sunday lunch at home includes roast chicken, perfect roast potatoes, carrot puree and creamy leeks with cannellini beans and good homemade gravy. That’s pure comfort to me. In the summer, we often do roast chicken and roast potatoes with a large green salad and that’s also pretty heavenly. And for eating out, in my opinion, the best place to get a roast is The Anglesey Arms.

You always say non-food is bad food to your guests, but do you have something some might consider a guilty pleasure?

I think I would have to say fish and chips. We have a really great one near to us and unwrapping those paper packages of salty chips with the smell of vinegar is instantly comforting. I always have to get mushy peas and a gherkin too.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor said on Desert Island Dishes that she loves the high/low contrast of fish and chips with a glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve and I think I’d have to agree. That’s a gorgeous combination.

And further afield, where do you love to travel or where is on your list?

From a culinary perspective, I’ve always wanted to go to San Sebastian. The food just sounds amazing and I’ve heard so many amazing things, it’s definitely on my list for next year.

One of my favourite things to do when travelling is to find the local dish or the restaurant all the locals love and eat there. I also ask a lot of questions – I’m always getting people to write down recipes!

I went to Sri Lanka for the first time this year and completely fell in love with it. The food, the people, it was just gorgeous and I will definitely be going back.

Let’s talk food at home. What do you love to cook that’s easy midweek?

I’ve come to realise that the thing most people struggle with is easy midweek suppers. So much so that I’ve just launched a weekly newsletter called Dinner Tonight. It’s all about quick, easy and delicious meals that take 30 minutes or less, use minimal ingredients and use the smallest number of utensils.

One of my favourites is a buttery roasted salmon served on giant couscous tossed with herbs and garlicky tomatoes and topped with a dollop of tzatziki. I also love garlic-basted steak served with cannellini bean mash and lemony tenderstem broccoli. Quick, easy and delicious.

What are your top five store cupboard essentials that will elevate home cooking?

I can’t pick just five, but I can’t live without good quality olive oil, buckets of Maldon salt, garlic, lemons, tinned tomatoes, Bold Bean beans, Belazu tahini and mayonnaise.

What gadgets do you swear by in the kitchen?

A good set of knives is essential, and a knife sharpener, as chopping with a blunt knife is no fun. I use my microplane grater multiple times every day, for parmesan, lemons, and garlic – it’s in constant use.

Where is great for buying foodie gifts?

There are amazing people out there doing all sorts of brilliant things – EK Bakery and Pink Pepper Kitchen do gorgeous brownies that can be sent through the post, which makes a lovely present to cheer up someone’s day. I think Fortnum & Mason is pretty hard to beat for a special occasion edible present – their hampers are the dream.

Do you have any tips for creating a beautiful tablescape?

I love to cook but I also take a lot of time over presentation – even if we are having something very simple, I like to lay the table with a pretty table cloth and always have candles and fresh flowers. I’m obsessed with everything from Penny Morrison, I’ve even got some of her plates hanging on the wall in our kitchen. I love Rebecca Udall, Late Afternoon, Maison Margaux, Sophie Conran, Hot Pottery, Sobremesa. Summerill and Bishop and Mrs Alice for tablecloths.

What’s up next for Desert Island Dishes?

We’ve recently launched a mini-episode to sit alongside the main episode each week called The Dream Dinner Party. It’s just one question so it’s shorter than the main episode and we’ve got some amazing guests. They talk us through their dream dinner party menu and who they would invite. They are allowed four guests who can be dead, alive or even fictional and it’s impossible to listen without thinking of your own answers. People really think about their answers and get fully into the spirit of it which makes it very fun to do.”

Listen to Margie’s podcast, Desert Island Dishes now or sign up to her weekly Dinner Tonight newsletter via Substack.
You can follow Ammargie on Instagram @desertislanddishes