Tuck into these marvellous morsels from Yorkshire
CHEF’S TABLE
DOMINIC M’BENGA
Founder and craft distiller at Barmby Moor’s multi award-winning Hooting Owl Distillery, Dominic has been a soldier, worked in the butchery field and developed a new type of wind turbine for renewable energy before launching his drinks business. ‘We’re best known for our range of London Dry and fruit gins, but we also distil Yorkshire vodka, rum and other spirits. We hold 17 Great Taste Awards for the spirits we produce, so we’re arguably the most awarded distillery in Yorkshire,’ says Dominic. Here, he shares his food loves. hootingowldistillery.co.uk
Most vivid childhood food memory?
I remember a discussion with other children, when I was at school in Bradford, about dandelion and burdock pop. They were all insistent that, because I was growing up in care, I’d never be able to have such luxuries. Then and there I made it my mission to get some dandelion and burdock, just to prove them wrong. That first bottle tasted like success to me, and now, as a result, I always add dandelion and burdock root to all my gin recipes.
Most memorable meal out?
The evening I first discovered lovage, while having a meal at The Pipe and Glass restaurant, near Beverley. I was introduced to lots of incredible flavours and creative ways of executing them, but I had never come across the herb before and was instantly fascinated by its unique, yet somehow familiar taste. It inspired me to produce a vine tomato and garden lovage gin, which is absolutely delicious in a Bloody Mary.
Favourite ingredient?
This is cyclical as I am always experimenting and finding new flavours. My current favourite is beefsteak plant, known as shiso leaf. It has a bright taste. It’s such a favourite at the moment that we’re going to use it to produce a Japanese-inspired gin.
If you weren’t a drinks business owner, what would you be and why?
Before my passion led me to open Hooting Owl, I was a soldier, then my love of food took me into butchery. I also developed a new type of wind turbine a few years ago so, if I wasn’t a distiller now, I would be working in renewable energy, or for some other green or environmental cause.
Your dream dinner guest, and why?
Nikola Tesla, just to get a glimpse into his brilliant brain.
Your guilty food pleasure?
I’m not sure if it counts as a guilty pleasure or not but I absolutely love oysters. I think it stems from my time in Northern Ireland. I was based near Dundrum Bay, County Down, where I had access to an unlimited supply of them. I not only enjoy them as they come, directly from the sea, but also cooked.
Who are your Yorkshire food and drink heroes?
There are many – most are small, local producers. We often sell our spirits through farm shops
