We popped into the Malt Cross to chat to Head Chef Rose Colyer about favourite chefs and their catch of the day...
When did you first know you wanted to make food for a living?
I am very lucky in that I’ve known since I was four I wanted to be a chef!
What person has been the biggest influence on your cooking and why?
When I was a kid it was Delia Smith as those were the cook books in my parents house. As I got older I was definitely more influenced by Ottelenghi, Bourdain, and Gary Rhodes.
Describe your venue in three words…
Stunning, welcoming, charitable.
What's the best-selling item on your current menu and why?
It definitely varies from week to week, but by figures alone our Sunday roast beef (which is a beautiful rump joint from chef’s cut butchers), and on our normal menu it’s often the chicken schnitzel or the pie of the week. I think these all sell so well as they’re the kind of pub classics done well which our customers enjoy!
What’s your personal favourite item on your current menu and why?
I love doing our catch of the day, it gives me and the team an opportunity to make something different all the time, and I really love cooking fish. Or the tofu katsu – it’s such a lovely vegan option with great flavours and colours.
What/where was the best meal you have ever cooked?
There was a stonebass dish at a pub I worked at in Warwick (Rose & Crown). It had a clam butter sauce, samphire, jersey royal potatoes, and a nori dressing. I always loved it when people ordered that dish!
What/where was the best meal you have ever eaten? And who cooked it?
Most recently my fiancé made me the most incredible dahl with rice, yoghurts, and naan bread, which was amazing, but I have eaten many incredible meals.
Other than your own place, where do you eat out most in Notts?
Kushi-ya, Chai Yo Thai and Uchi are definitely my most frequented, but I also go to the Work in Progress menu once a season at Jericho, which is incredible, and worth the trip!
Who are your five ideal dinner party guests alive or dead? And what’s on the menu?
I have three older siblings, so it's nice when we can get together with our parents, although now with partners and children it's way more than five guests! When that happens it's normally Thai or Chinese, or we have a new tradition of cheese soufflé and samphire.
Head to the Malt Cross at 16 St James’ St, NG1 6FG.
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