Interview

Food should be an emotional journey 
that you share...
Food should be an emotional journey that you share and life for Bushra Akram is just that. TV Lawyer by day and Supper queen by night, this talented beauty has always been more than just a chow hound. Heavily influenced by her Pakistani roots and travels; food is an integral part of a life that she celebrates.  Now we're all lucky enough to celebrate with her as she invites us to her acclaimed Bushra’s Table in her East London home.

So what can I expect at Bushra’s Table? 
A unique and intimate journey into my world of Pakistani inspired food.  Whether you come as one, with a plus one or many; you get to share the experience with like minded folk who want to try something different. Food is accompanied with a wine flight. Not culturally aligned but represents my spin on a high end cultural experience. It’s not just the food; it’s the intimacy of the room, the look and the feel. You sit at my dining table as I cook right alongside you. Unlike most supper clubs – you really feel like you're in someone’s home.

Tell me about your history with food...Food is part and parcel of the Akram family. Throughout my life, good times and bad; food has been present. Whether preparing with mum and sisters, keeping up with my late father’s inventive cooking (he really was the Heston Blumenthal of his time), to sitting down with family; it’s how we learnt to celebrate, commiserate and connect.

What inspired you? Why is food important to you? My mum and dad inspired my desire to share food with others. Coming from a large family (one of five sisters), meal times were challenging but special. I want to share that feeling with a small group of people. In the past I've thought about starting my own restaurant but felt that it would take me away from the sense of freedom and intimacy that my Table gives me without compromise. It’s that closeness, interaction and sharing what’s close to my heart.

My chosen last meal? Wow – that’s a difficult one. I had the most amazing and unforgettable chicken livers in a pomegranate sauce in Beirut a few years back or the Spaghetti Vongole in Cinque Terra a few summers ago. Arrgh, this is too hard. I’m going to keep it simple and close to my heart:  My mum’s Chicken Pilau. A slow cooked spiced baked chicken and rice dish filled with spices including cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. Fragrant, heady and intoxicating in flavour and aroma and just reminds me of mum.  Oh and mums Kemma Paratah, a type of flaky bread that mum would make as a weekend brunch treat served with her homemade  green chilli “achaar” - raw birds eye chillies steeped in spices and oil which are left to marinade to perfection over a number of weeks. These dishes remind me of a time we would eat for the sheer love and had all the time in the world to enjoy.

Favourite foodie hangout. If I had to pick a favourite of the moment it would be 10 Greek St. Simple food gorgeously executed and an ever changing seasonal menu plus an amazing and very reasonable wine list. I  love Barrafina and Jose. I love the informal concept of sharing plates of food. You can pick on meat and cheese all day if you want. In all the above I love the openness and accessibility of their kitchens so that you feel close and connected to the action; the process of creation. All coupled with simple but quality ingredients that they really want to put on the table. They've all taken great care and put a love into it.

Foodie hero. You! Inspirational. Innovative. Forward thinking and forever seeking your next food high. I loved what Nuno Mendez did in the early days. He inspired me after visiting his Loft project. The idea of inviting people into my home had always appealed but I felt that a lot of supper clubs were rammed to the rafters. He simplified the concept reminiscent of our family dining and it made me think I want to do it.  I can. God damn it I will. I had first table moths later. I also have to give a special mention to David Tran, who came up with the name Bushra’s Table, which fit perfectly.

Ottolenghi is another man I hold dear to my heart. He’s an intrepid explorer of local customs, traditions, herbs and spices. A culinary sponge who never tires of wanting to learn and share.

Above all – my mum. Feeding a family of five girls and two adults was a financial strain at the best of times, but mum made sure we never left the table feeling hungry, and made me want to do the same. There’s something about cooking for my mum and my family that still makes me smile.

I believe you've done some spice searching of your own with Gary Rhodes. Explain.Yes in 2007, I was one of three sous chefs picked from hundreds of applicants to tour India; celebrating and understanding the importance of regional cooking. My five weeks included eating at countless amazing restaurants and meeting super talented chefs, from interviewing the Maharaja of Jodhpur to meeting the owner of (and eating at) an outstanding hole in the wall (trucker’s dining equivalent) in Delhi. My knowledge and taste buds were stimulated in a way that I couldn't imagine or even thought possible (not to mention my waist line!).

What did you think of Gary? He was a fish out water so it was interesting to watch such an accomplished chef learning. A champion of traditional British food, which I find admirable. If I'm honest though I sometimes felt “put down your tools” and absorb the Indian style and embrace their way of cooking. When it came to the final show we helped Gary to deliver an Indian banquet.  He put his British spin on what he'd learnt which was great. I only wished he had picked a desert other than a bread and butter pudding to represent his culinary learning experience.  That said, the opportunity and the journey I went on was truly unforgettable and I met some amazing people. A once in a lifetime opportunity.

Most memorable Bushra’s table. My first one with my most nearest and dearest and biggest supporters; my neighbours  friends and extended family. One of the longest tables that went on till 4am I woke up the next day to find a guest still sleeping in my flat.

Best guests. I went to San Sebastian three years ago and met a great foodie family at a rugby match one afternoon - a mix of Irish and Spanish. We connected over our mutual love of food and I told them about my table. To my surprise and absolute delight they flew over two months later to celebrate their 16th wedding anniversary at Bushra's table.  

Memorable moment at Bushra’s table. One guest and great friend Soultanna, a classically trained singer (who knew no one other than me) stood up at midnight and sung an amazing rendition of Alicia Keys "Falling" that blew everyone’s mind and rendered us all speechless.

Favourite cookbook. I love Ottonlenghi and Caroline Conran’s latest cookbook. I've started writing my own with dishes my mum has handed down through generations of the Akram Family. It’s a work in progress and a bit of a labour of love.

Bushra's table is *£65 per head for a four course meal, each paired with wine with Ron Zacapa <INSERT LINK> to finish. *If you don’t drink alcohol your can bring your own and pay £45. Bushra's Brunch is £35 per head and includes a cocktail on arrival and a traditional Akram spread where you share five different dishes. For more info check out Bushra Akram or for latest news follow her on twitter @BushraAkram.

BUSHRA'S TABLE GUEST WISH LIST

I have six places at Bushras Table, can I be totally self-indulgent?

Colin Farrrell - He’s a lost soul but a good soul. He would bring raw honesty. He’s rather cute and could tell a tale or two I've no doubt.

Anthony Bourdain - He really appreciates food no whatever/wherever it comes from. As a lover of food experiences he wants to push the limits and I want to take him on a journey that I know he hasn't been on yet!

Whoppi Goldberg - I love her natural presence, comedy and smile. Her soul is full of laughter; she’s effortless and just comes across as being wise and knowing. Who wouldn't want a bit of Whoopi!

Tafari - One of my best friends who has visited my table more than anyone; five to date and more to come. How do I define the indefinable? He never ceases to amaze me in his zest and passion for life. His knowledge, his excitement, love and support to me and my table. He brings life to any table.

Dave Chappelle - He's just a brilliant comedy mind and finds humour in places you didn't think possible. I hear that he's making a comeback and I'd like my table to be the start of his return.

George Michael - I've loved him since I was 15! I even bunked off uni for the first time in my life to watch him testify in court during the Sony trial (I was studying my law degree at the time – so it was kind of relevant!) I can't explain why, but I just have this feeling that we'd get on really well. Genuinely, we're kindred spirits. I like to think.

Watch out for Bushra's popping up in a restaurant near you...