Fare & Simple

So those of you who follow me on Facebook and Twitter will know I had the pleasure of interviewing Bill Granger about his new book Bill's Everyday Asian. I can honestly say he is as genuine as he comes across on television if not better. Here's a pic of me with him and below is my interview which is featured in this week's ishoperth. Enjoy!

TELEVISION CHEF BILL GRANGER HAS DONE IT ALL. THE RESTAURATEUR, FOOD WRITER AND TELEVISION CHEF IS ON THE BOOK LAUNCH TRAIL, PROMOTING HIS LATEST COOKBOOK BILL’S EVERYDAY ASIAN IN PERTH NEXT WEEK. BELINDA CIPRIANO CAUGHT UP WITH HIM.

   Tell us what you’ve been up to?

   This year has been enormous; we are in London now getting ready to open our new restaurant. I also shot Bill’s Everyday Asian, opened a new restaurant in Japan and we renovated our Surry Hills restaurant in Sydney.

   You are one of the original celebrity chefs, have sold more than a million cookbooks, filmed three television series, are about to launch your eighth restaurant and you still cook for your children most nights – how do you manage it all?

   I have a fantastic team of people who make it all possible, including my wife Natalie who has been a great support, and I think that is the most important thing. I mean it is not just me, it’s everyone involved – all the talented and passionate people. I cook for my children every night and I think I have not cooked two times in the last three months. I manage to do it unless I am travelling. It’s what life is about I think – spending time with your family.

   Tell us about your new book Bill’s Everyday Asian?

   Asian cuisine was the first food that really opened my eyes – I was blown away at how food could taste so wonderful. I grew up where food was very ‘meat and three veg’, so very simple, not bad, just plain, and it opened my eyes to a whole new world and that’s where my love affair started. In this book, it is my version and not authentic at all – I have ‘Billised’ it!

   What do you think of the Perth dining scene and what is your favourite restaurant?

   This will be my third time in Perth and I can’t wait to get back there because it has changed so much, the foodie thing has exploded. I’m so excited I haven’t been back there for about a year-and-a-half and I can’t wait to go to the Greenhouse. I haven’t been before and I really want to go because I think he (Matt Stone) has great energy and is very talented.

   Growing up, was there anyone who inspired you to cook?

   Inspiring me to cook ... I think it was my own palate. I used to try dishes when I’d go out then go home and try to recreate them. Stephanie Alexander and even the Women’s Weekly cookbooks were also a source of inspiration to me. I’ve never worked in a restaurant and I’ve never been taught by anyone else how to cook – I’m totally self-taught.

   Do you have a cooking philosophy?

   Keep it simple – it’s only food and that’s what we have to remember. But what food does is a great conduit for enjoyment of life.

   What’s your signature dish?

   My scrambled eggs. It’s in all the restaurants and it’s three ingredients; eggs, butter and cream, and it signifies everything I do by stripping things back and doing them in a faster, simpler and easier way. I built the restaurant business on scrambled eggs. I mean it has developed into something else but it’s where it all started.

   Tell us about your newest restaurant venture in Notting Hill?

   It won’t be a Bill’s - it’s going to be something different. It’s still a similar idea breakfast, lunch and dinner, casual dining and we will be open in mid-November. It’s going to bring a little breath of Australian sunshine into London.

   Lastly, is there any chance of bringing Bill’s to Perth?

   It’s definitely on the list. Once London is completed, we have a new Tokyo restaurant opening in April so I’m working on that madly at the moment as well as Notting Hill. My business development manager is from Perth and she’s always pushing for it.

   BILL GRANGER will launch Bill’s Everyday Asian and host a dinner on tomorrow at the Perth Town Hall. Visit dymocks.com.au   for more information.