John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen
Newlyweds John Torode and Lisa Faulkner on their plans to inspire the nation during lockdown…
SATURDAY / ITV
Hearty meals and superb serving suggestions combined with Lisa Faulkner and John Torode’s natural chemistry make this upbeat series the perfect way to kickstart my weekend. The newlyweds chat to us about series four, plus they reveal the recipes that mean the most to them.
JOHN AND LISA’S WEEKEND KITCHEN
NEW SATURDAY / ITV / 11.35AM / EP 1 of 10 / COOKERY
For many of us, lockdown has been a real test of our culinary ingenuity. So we’re delighted that ITV is serving up a brandnew series of John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen to add inspiration to mealtimes, especially as chefs John Torode, 54, and Lisa Faulkner, 48, are king and queen of easy-to-follow recipes and simple yet effective twists to classic dishes.
Here, in an exclusive interview, the newlyweds tell TV Times what’s cooking in series four, and why we shouldn’t worry too much if we run out of flour…
You filmed the new series under social-distancing conditions – what was that experience like? JOHN: It was a bit of a challenge! ITV has everything in place – they’re very strict, as they should be. It was a very different way of working. One thing that was difficult was, we couldn’t properly go and say hello to our crew, who we’ve worked with before, or properly say goodbye afterwards.
LISA: Also, my hair hasn’t seen a hairdresser for a good many months – the roots are quite fun! You’re doing your own make-up, your own hair, your own costume, before you’re even getting on to cook your recipe. So it was a fun challenge, but I think we rose to it.
Were you happy to be back in the studio together?
JOHN: We were lucky to do it! LISA: Everyone made it as easy as it could be, and we had a skeleton crew. Everyone was so conscious of keeping their distance, of washing their hands, of antibac wipes, all of that stuff.
JOHN: And we feel very grateful to get a commission like that, especially at this time. We just really hope people love it, and I hope it makes people’s lives just that little bit easier.
Lots of us have had difficulty getting hold of some ingredients lately – have you had that, too? JOHN: In the early days, yes, absolutely. What we did, of course, was make do with what we had. Throughout this series we’ve said that if you don’t have it, it’s all right, there are alternatives.
LISA: We are also lucky to have the most lovely corner shop at the end of our road. They are so kind and so fantastic. We’d go in and ask, ‘Have you got any flour?’ and they’d reply, ‘No, but when it comes in, we’ll let you know.’
Has it been inspiring for you that home cooking has become so important to everybody?
JOHN: The thing is, that’s the way we’ve always been. I do my chef work, but home cooking is how we live, and I’m pleased we could, over lockdown, give something back with our Instagram videos, and this series. LISA: That’s what’s been lovely – hearing the messages of people who are getting inspiration from our Instagram recipe of the day.
Where would be your dream destination for food right now? JOHN: You know what, right now I would be really happy sitting on the beach with a roll with sand in it! I want to go for a swim in the sea, and then wander up the beach, whether it’s Spain or Portugal… LISA: Or even here in Cornwall or Whitstable, just to see the sea, and have fish and chips…
JOHN: Fish and chips. Chips and vinegar! I’d be very happy!
WEEKEND KITCHEN is previewed on
RIGHT NOW I WOULD BE HAPPY SITTING ON THE BEACH WITH A ROLL WITH SAND IN IT!
JOHN TORODE