Every week, our Money team interviews top chefs from around the UK, hearing about their cheap food hacks, views on the industry and more.
Today, they speak to Greg Lambert, food director of Michelin-listed Six Rooftop in Newcastle…
The toughest moment of my career has been… the current climate within the hospitality industry. I find my job harder each week, and some of my friends and ex-colleagues are feeling the same. Restaurants and cafes are closing down weekly in Newcastle and there seems to be no thought-out help for the industry from the government. I also think that the one-click culture of people ordering takeout has taken away restaurant dining customers, as disposable income is shrinking and convenience is taking over.
I hate it when customers… leave the restaurant happy and polite, and then head online and troll the restaurant. I believe that if you have had a bad experience at any level, you should share that with the server, manager or chef politely and offer feedback. Online criticism is often over-egged, one-sided and personal – not helpful!
My controversial food opinion is that… most sushi is overpriced and overhyped.
The best chef in the UK is… open to opinion but my all-time favourite is Philip Howard, and my modern hero is Kirk Haworth. Phil Howard has always cooked classic food with a clean, modern approach and his food just never seems to age or go out of fashion. What Kirk is doing down at [plant-based London restaurant] Plates now is phenomenal. To be that open-minded and creative about plant-based cooking and to execute it to that level is inspiring. A pair of legends.
My favourite own-brand supermarket product is… Sainsbury’s high protein Greek-style yoghurt. It’s better than Fage and a third of the price.
One thing you’re always better off buying is… frozen hash browns. I don’t have a deep-fat fryer at home and this is the best way for me to cook a proper hash brown. So I make use of my air fryer on max heat and blast them until super crispy and golden, then pig out.
My go-to chain restaurant and order is… Pizza Hut. Just let me at that buffet and salad bar! Pepperoni pizza, stuffed crust, extra sloppy.
A budget bite I will always recommend is… an authentic Chinese restaurant just beside the football stadium called Infusion 2018. Often, if I am going to see my beloved Newcastle United, I will make time to go in and enjoy some top quality food that is so full of flavour and spice and mega affordable, even without mates’ rates! I usually go for Beef Brisket Casserole – Szechuan Style, with steamed rice, which is around £14. You get so much you can barely finish it.
More Cheap Eats:
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My delicious and simple (yet versatile) budget recipe is… Egg & Chips! I think it is one of those infallible dishes that, if done correctly, brings just such comfort and pleasure, but also sustenance and nutrition.
There are levels to do this dish depending on your budget.
To make this as affordable as possible, just buy the best potatoes and eggs you can afford and treat yourself to some good quality salted butter.
Method:
Chips
Eggs
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To serve
Serve the hot eggs with the freshly baked chips, a drizzle of that butter, and I always drench my chips in Sarson’s vinegar.
A proper dinner, affordable, enjoyable, comforting and adaptable.
In there, there are healthy fats, protein, fibre and vitamins.
