Helen James

A taste for life...

Our favourite interiors designer has turned her impeccable taste to the kitchen, though she still loves a Tunnock’s Teacake, who doesn’t?

What did your mother make you?

A lot of Middle Eastern food, as my parents lived there. I used to beg my mother for fish fingers and mashed potato.

The meal you will always remember?

A summer when the kids were small. A beach in Cork only accessible by boat, a large group of my favourite friends and mackerel just caught and thrown on to an open fire. All the elements were magic, and there is no finer food than mackerel moments out of the sea.

What is your hangover cure?

I don’t drink so don’t have to deal with hangovers, but if I’m feeling really bad after a late night I will try to fill up on something healthy to make me feel better like a bowl of quinoa topped with veg, avocado, a fried egg and Katie Sanderson’s White Mausu Peanut Rayu sauce.

What do you drink?

I know it’s very trendy but I’m just a little bit obsessed with kombucha. As I don’t drink alcohol, it is hard to find something to drink that feels grown up and isn’t incredibly sweet.

You can only eat three things for the rest of your life, what are they?

Plain yoghurt, roast chicken and Tunnock’s Teacakes.

Most appetising smell in the world?

Roast chicken or freshly baked bread.

How important is food to you?

Everything starts and ends with food!

Favourite restaurant in Ireland?

Fia Cafe in Rathgar, Dublin 6. Keith Coleman is a bit of a genius in the kitchen and Aisling McHugh makes the best and fizziest kombucha around.

And abroad?

Fiskebar in Copenhagan. Amazing food.

What’s your sweet treat?

Oh so many, but 70pc chocolate has to be up there for a quick fix.

Worst Meal Ever?

It was in an old boyfriend’s house in my teens. The parents were having a massive row. The dad stayed in the pub and the mum left the pasta on the hob. By the time he returned, the pasta was a disgusting flaccid mess but she served it up and we all sat down and eat it in silence. Fun!

What is your guilty pleasure?

I don’t believe in guilt and try not to indulge in it. It takes the enjoyment out of

anything it touches.

“I don’t believe in guilt, it takes the enjoyment out of anything it touches”

What’s your signature dish?

I guess if you asked any one of my friends or family what they associated with me, it would be something sweet and baked, quite possibly shortbread, chocolate chip cookies or chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting.

What’s always in your kitchen?

Coffee. I cannot function without it.

Are you careful about what you eat?

I am conscious about what I eat. I know the affect it has on my mood and well-being. I like healthy food but also believe in eating food that makes you happy and some days that can be cake!

What’s your perfect family meal?

My favourite meal of the year is lunch on St Stephen’s Day. All the family comes to my house and I make a massive hash with all the leftover potatoes and veg with the cold ham and turkey. Heaven. ‘A Sense of Home’, by designer and cookery writer Helen James, is published by Hachette Ireland. Along with 60 sumptuous recipes, this beautiful book shares James’ unique vision for what makes a home.