A G&T with Lisa Goodwin-Allen
The acclaimed chef of Michelin-starred Northcote in Lancashire, who’s twice tasted success on Great British Menu, talks fast cars and fantasy dinner guests
The first time I thought I’d enjoy going into cooking was at school in home economics. It’s a shame certain subjects aren’t valued, because not everyone is academic. Everybody needs to find their niche, whether it’s sports, home economics, science, woodwork or art. I was shy and that kind of subject was where I found I could express who I was.
I have a shellfish allergy. You learn to live with it, but I’m jealous when I see whoppin’ big scallops and can’t eat them. It’s not a problem because one of my strengths is that I put a lot of research in, so for instance when we did a scarlet prawn dish with green Thai curry, I made the sauces and put my philosophy onto it with the techniques and ingredients. But it was quite strange, considering I can’t taste the finished dish.
Great British Menu can be quite competitive. Obviously, you want to represent yourself well. But also, there’s that camaraderie of people helping each other when you get to the pass at the last minute. Whether it’s on TV or in a live kitchen, you always see people helping each other. I think that’s the greatest thing about the hospitality industry.
I love cars. I grew up around them. I did some stock car racing when I was young and am a bit of a petrolhead. If I hadn’t become a chef, I’d have probably stayed in the family business with my dad. He had a breakers yard and I used to wait at work with him, breaking up cars and changing tyres.
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