I can’t stand restaurants where they play live music! I f I want live music I ’ ll go to a

concert: And when I do, I am ready to dance — not fill my face with food. Restaurants are for

food and conversation with friends. Why do they do it? How come they don’t understand this

simple thing? How can they possibly believe those bright “ ethnic” costumes, the frantic guitar

playing and maddening clapping can in any way improve your meal?

Helen is a banker. She power dresses, carries a full brief case and works in the city. She is

hard working, extremely knowledgeable and has a background in law as well as business. But

her greatest passion is preparing, cooking and serving curry for herself and her friends. She

chooses and buys all the specialist ingredients. She likes to dress in traditional Indian clothes

for her parties and encourages her guests to do the same.

The secret of good cooking is choosing top quality ingredients. Ideally they should be

absolutely fresh and when ever possible I buy organic meat and vegetables. It is not simply

about avoiding the additives and chemicals of intensive farming (although this is also important

to me): But it is also about rediscovering natural flavours — the true taste of vegetables that I

remember from childhood.

I eat out most days rather than stay in, at home. It costs a fair amount but just think what

I save. I don’t need to go to supermarkets to search for over priced single portion meals (I live

on my own). I don’t pay electricity for hours of cooking or running a dishwasher. I don’t

actually have any washing up, clearing up or wasted food. I don’ t need to prepare food, plan or

cook so I guess I actually save 2 hours a day.

In my opinion two things are essential in running a successful restaurant. First — reliable

food. The menu doesn’ t need to be exotic; just a good choice of well cooked meals, made by

experienced staff. Over cooked food or meals served partly frozen are the worst restaurant

“crimes” ! The second essential thing is good service. Poor waiters result in the restaurant never

getting regular, repeat business.

There are so many vegetarians these days and so many fresh recipes, exotic ingredients and

new cooking techniques. This is ignored by many traditional restaurants who offer plenty of