Who are you?
I’m Issy, a Kiwi living in London – and soon L.A. (because London winter). I met Nikki, one of Assortment’s founders, almost a decade ago (!) and we basically entered into an agreement wherein she’d cook for me in exchange for staying at my house in various cities around the world. I’m pretty sure she created Assortment after realising how much help some people could need in the kitchen through our short stints of co-habitating together.
What do you do?
I’m a journalist/editor living in London. I worked in the magazine industry in Sydney before moving to the UK and I now write freelance features on culture, lifestyle fashion for publications like DAZED, British Vogue and i-D. I also have a weekly pop culture podcast called After Work Drinks.
What’s your food philosophy?
I definitely live to eat. I’m never happier than when I’m sitting around a dinner table having food and wine with the people I love. When I travel, I’ve always got a hit-list of places I want to try – family-run, traditional, non-touristy spots, if possible. I’m in Athens currently and went for lunch today at this tiny local restaurant that has no menu: they just bring food and wine to your table until you motion to them that you’re full – it was ridiculously good and the total was £10 each.
Death row meal – starter, main and dessert
– Filet-O-Fish, large fries, large coke (my DR meal my way)
– An Indian thali with an endless supply of paratha bread
– A perfect tiramisu or The Cow’s banoffee pie.
What has been your biggest cooking mishap?
I set my microwave on fire when I put two-minute noodles in while still in the plastic packet. I was 12, but I follow a similar ethos in the kitchen today.
What’s your go-to easy mid-week meal?
Pasta. My current fave is spaghetti alla nerano.
