A Taste for LIFE

Lorraine Keane’s life in food

What did your mother make you?

Dad didn’t know where the kitchen was! For my mother, a mother of seven, it was about getting anything into us. The most exotic thing we had growing up was lasagne. She thinks it’s crazy that my daughters’ treat food is sushi.

What is your hangover cure?

Before falling in love with sushi, it was a McDonald’s Happy Meal with curry sauce. Now it’s miso soup and sushi.

What do you drink?

My favourite drink is Champagne, though it’s far from Champagne that I was reared. I basically can’t afford myself !

You can only eat three things for the rest of your life, what would you pick?

It’s so tricky; I love food so much. I’ll go with sushi; lobster in butter; and garlic and sweet potato fries.

What’s the nicest smell in the world?

Cinnamon. And I love the smell of garlic, and, also, fresh basil.

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

The island of Capri. I’d eat in a seafood restaurant on the beach with Bono or Leonardo DiCaprio — or if the lads weren’t free, Oprah.

What’s always in your kitchen?

Chocolate, butter and my home-made brown bread.

Favourite restaurant in Ireland?

For Indian food, Rasam in Glasthule. For everything else, L’Ecrivain. Or Glover’s Alley, or Luna, or Hartley’s in Dun Laoghaire. It’s really difficult!

What’s your perfect family meal?

We all love a big roast, it’s the easiest thing to do. I light candles every night and we sit down together, which we’re lucky to be able to do.

What’s your sweet treat?

Victoria sponge with loads of cream, though I’m not madly into desserts. Chocolate is my thing. I love Green & Black’s Sea Salt or its Velvet Salted Caramel paired with a glass of red.

What do you refuse to eat?

Organs of any sort.

Worst meal ever?

I went to one of these country houses and it seemed beautiful, but we were the only ones staying there. Then at dinner, the owner decided to join us, and sat between us! The starter arrived, and a bluebottle was doing the backstroke across the soup — I actually thought there were hidden cameras. We checked out after everyone went to bed.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Chipper chips, drowned in salt and vinegar.

What’s your signature dish?

I marinate chicken with red wine vinegar, capers, green olives, prunes, oregano, bay leaves and loads of garlic. Then I add half a cup of brown sugar and half a cup of white wine, and bake it in the oven.

Are you careful about what you eat?

I’m not always careful, but I am conscious of it Monday to Friday, and then I don’t think about it at the weekend. I don’t deny myself, but I keep my portions small. I eat everything. If I want to have the slice of batch with butter, I have it. Life’s too short! Lorraine Keane will host Oxfam’s Fashion Relief in the RDS today. Irish celebrities donating pre-loved clothes will man their stalls and take to the catwalk to showcase some of the designer pieces. For more information, see fashionrelief.ie

“I love Champagne, though it’s far from that I was reared. I basically can’t afford myself!