YOUR EVENT
Name: Steve Hicks. Restaurant: Aquila Bacaro and bar, serving Italian style tapas and small plates. We also offer a pop-up bar service. How long have you been doing this for?: We have been open for nearly three years – I have been a chef for 30 years. What do you enjoy most about doing this?: Meeting new people, working with fresh seasonal ingredients. How would you describe your style of cooking?: Stripped back simple cooking, letting the food and flavours speak for themselves. Do you have a signature dish or favourite dish to make?: I would not say we have a signature dish as such, as we are always changing our menus. Our most popular would be our garlic king prawns with chilli, ginger and sundried tomatoes. Do you have a favourite ingredient?: It would have to be seafood. What is the best thing about Macclesfield?: Small independent bars, restaurants and shops. What is the worst thing about Macclesfield?: Empty shops with high rent and rates and faceless coffee shops. Most memorable moment/funniest moment while doing this?: A vegetarian telling me that they don’t eat any fish or meat but they will eat chicken. If money were no object I would?: Travel the world with my wife and children. My biggest inspiration has been?: My wife always pushing me to succeed. If you could have anyone visit your restaurant, who would it be?: Anthony Bourdain. If you could offer one piece of advice to anyone looking to break into your industry, what would it be?: Start at the bottom and always learn the basic and classic dishes first – don’t run before you can walk.
Aquila Bacaro 46 King Edward Street, Macclesfield SK10 1AA. Tel: 07534 077289. www.aquilabacaro.co.uk.