In the Handpicked Hotseat – Sophie Grey

At The Handpicked Foodstore we’re lucky enough to benefit from the expertise of an incredibly talented panel of food experts. SOPHIE GREY is a bespoke caterer with over 20 years experience catering for property and press launches, fashion shows, and private parties.  In 2009 she set up The Crazy Baker, comprising three cafés and an artisan bakery where you’ll find rustic breads, pastries and other delicious treats. Sophie is also the author of Let’s Make Whoopies! (Penguin, £14.99), a lick-smackingly gorgeous book of over 70 recipes for whoopie pies. Simon Cowell thinks they’re “One million per cent delicious” and if he thinks they’ve got the X-factor, we can only agree.

Here we put Sophie under the spotlight, in the latest of our In the Handpicked Hotseat interviews.

1. What’s your top time-saving kitchen tip?

Have a stock of piping bags. Once you get used to piping you will save a huge amount of time and you will soon be catering for the masses.

2. What ingredient can’t you live without?

Garlic. Though not in a whoopie pie!

3. Name three store cupboard essentials?

Please don’t make me pick just three! I always have the following:

• olive oil
• cayenne pepper
• lemon juice
• garlic
• tomato puree

4. Who is your inspiration in the food world?

I took Delia Smith’s Complete Cookery Course with me to university. It was my first cookery book, and everything in it works first time. Using it gave me the confidence to keep on trying new things.

5. What would be your desert island cookery book?

Elizabeth David’s At Elizabeth David’s Table. I’ve always wanted to read it, and being on a desert island would give me the time.

6. What are your favourite foodie websites?

There are so many fantastic ones out there! I can’t decide between Delicious Magazine, BBC Food and The Guild of Fine Food, which promotes excellence in speciality food.