MY STYLE INSPIRATIONS Chef and author Melissa Hemsley
The chef, bestselling cookbook author and Fairtrade ambassador shares the passions that have shaped her
GRAND DESIGNS
I live in a Victorian townhouse with my partner. We fell in love with the building at first sight. Built in 1878, it has fantastic features, such as very high ceilings, beautiful cornicing, marble fireplaces and wood panelling. The downside was that it hadn’t been lived in for many years, and therefore needed completely restoring. We just knew it was the place for us, though, and set to work. No matter how much you plan, worry and research, things inevitably go wrong and take a painfully long time! The process was challenging, but it was worth it.
COOK’S KITCHEN
The kitchen is my favourite part of the house – it’s a lovely open-plan space with a dining table that doubles up as our home office. I host fundraising community classes at the big island, which can fit 12 people around it. I buy all my kitchenware from sustainable brands too, such as Aerende and Qäsa Qäsa, and I keep herbs on the countertops as edible decorations. There’s often a pot of ginger bubbling away, which I use to make hot tea with lemon and for ladling into noodle soups. The radio is always on; I love Classic FM – especially the Saturday evening soundtracks session.
A FINE ART
My partner works in the art and design world, so we have lots of artwork throughout the house. I own a few pieces myself, including drawings by friends. In the kitchen, we have a gallery wall of colourful David Shrigleys
– they’re hilarious, and still make me belly laugh. Another favourite is our painting by Caroline Walker, a Scottish artist – it’s a rather special portrait of her mother, and I think it’s beautiful.
DOWN TO EARTH
My mum is a huge inspiration – she didn’t teach me how to cook so much as how not to waste. I’m always thinking about sustainability. I buy secondhand at home as much as possible – we recently bought our sofa and armchairs on Ebay and had them re-upholstered at Charles of Lloyd in Leyton. I’m always browsing vintage websites such as Archive Furniture, The Modern Warehouse and The Peanut Vendor. I’m trying to cut back on flying and I’m planning a train trip around Europe as we speak. My aim is to be barefoot, in nature, and jumping in water as much as possible!
LOCAL SPOTS
London’s food markets are great. When I was 18, I worked near Borough Market and have known some stallholders for 16 years. Maltby Street Market is another favourite. My partner is often near Marylebone, so I’m always happy when he comes back with a little cheese surprise from La Fromagerie. It’s important for me to support local social enterprises, too, and I love the produce from the OrganicLea community farm, which is near us in Leytonstone. It’s good to see the rise in refill shops, where you can top up existing packaging with wine, olive oils and cleaning products. Melissa’s new cookbook Eat
Green (£22, Ebury Publishing) is on sale now