Amy Ni Fhearraigh

From ‘The Marriage Of Figaro’ to the union of beans and buttery toast, this opera singer is a self-proclaimed professional at indulgence

A taste for life...

What did your mother make you?

She hated cooking, so I grew up on mash, carrots and chicken. Every single day!

The meal you will always remember?

I travel a lot for work. When I was in Croatia, I had a set seafood menu, but it was the dessert that was really incredible. Goat’s-cheese cheesecake — it was divine.

What’s your comfort food?

You can never go wrong with beans on white toast slathered in proper butter.

What do you drink?

Being a singer, I’m usually downing a lot of water to keep my vocal chords in good health. When I do drink alcohol, my tipple is a toss-up between red wine, and a G&T with cucumber.

Hangover cure?

Pizza. Always pizza. Though it probably cures nothing, and just makes me happy!

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

Oh god. That’s a tough one. OK, porridge; slag me all you want, but I love the stuff. Peanut butter. And pizza. It has to be pizza. I wouldn’t last very long, would I?

Most appetising smell in the world?

It has to be a chipper. No other food packs the same punch as really good fish and chips from the chipper.

How important is food to you?

It’s vital. It takes up 80pc of my thoughts, minimum. When I’m eating breakfast, I’m thinking about what to have or make for lunch and dinner.

You can go anywhere and have anything to eat with any one person. Where, what and who?

Japan, with my brother, to the most expensive sushi restaurant. Sushi is usually very casual everywhere except for Japan; it’s almost an art form over there.

What’s always in your kitchen?

Peanut butter, and a drawer full of spices.

Favourite restaurant in Ireland?

I’m a big fan of Asian cuisine. For a casual meal, I go to the Ramen Bar on South William Street. For something more fancy, it’s Hang Dai on Camden Street, or Asador on Haddington Road.

Abroad?

A restaurant called Onyx in Budapest. It is amazing, and Hungarian wine is completely under-rated.

What’s your sweet treat?

Either an almond croissant or doughnuts. There’s a doughnut place down the road from my house, and it’s a struggle to walk past it every day without picking something up.

What do you refuse to eat?

Terrine. It’s so cold and gelatinous.

Worst Meal Ever?

Any time I’ve ordered terrine, thinking it was a type of pate.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I don’t feel guilty for eating anything. You only live once; as long as you generally look after yourself, you should eat whatever you want and not feel guilty.

What’s your signature dish?

A lamb or beef ragu with Parmesan.

Are you careful about what you eat? I am. I like to keep my cooking healthy without scrimping on flavour, but I’m a professional when it comes to indulgence as well! Amy Ni Fhearraigh performs in Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ at the National Opera House,Wexford, on April 13, and at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, from April 17 to 21. See irishnationalopera.ie In conversation with Sophie White

“I hate terrine. It’s so gelatinous. Who made it and thought it was a good idea?”