Interview: Mohammed Khan founder of Edinburgh's Ignite restaurant

Published on Sunday 1 November 2009 10:55

MOHAMMED KHAN is founder of Ignite restaurant (www.ignite restaurant.com), in Edinburgh's Morrison Street, which specialises in Bengali and northern Indian cuisine.

What's the best meal you've had?

It was in an Indian restaurant in London's Southhall. The flavours were authentically Indian in a way that can be hard to find in the UK.

What's the worst meal you've had?

It was at a Mexican restaurant in Edinburgh. In my experience, Mexican food can be hit or miss – this was definitely the latter.

What's in your fridge?

Milk, orange juice and apple juice, butter and jam. I have three children, so there's always a supply of the yoghurts and dips that they like too.

What's your hangover fix?

I'm teetotal.

What's your best kitchen utensil?

Good, sharp knives are indispensable, as whatever you're cooking you are likely to be chopping at some stage.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Chocolate, especially Kit Kats, Maltesers and Minstrels.

What's your classic standby recipe?

Fish curry, probably using salmon. It's easy, doesn't take long to cook and most people love it.

Who would you invite to a fantasy dinner party?

Michael Jackson, because I was a huge fan in the 1980s, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, because I love his action movies. Barack Obama would be there – I think it's a huge achievement for the US to have its first black president. As a football fan, I'd also invite Lionel Messi, who plays for Barcelona. He reminds me of a young Diego Maradona.

What food says 'home' to you?

Growing up in in Bangladesh, we ate a lot of rohu fish. It has very few bones, which makes it particularly appealing, and it's versatile too, as you can eat it fried or in curries.

Have you ever been on a diet?

I tried a few years ago, but gave up.

What one food makes you feel better?

An Indian dessert called rosomalai, which is made with ricotta, cardamom seeds, almonds and pistachios. It's sweet, milky and very soothing. I serve it in Ignite and it's very popular – people are keen to try a real Indian dessert instead of the more usual ice-creams and sorbets.

Do you eat airline food?

Very rarely.

Do you buy organic?

I agree with the ethos of eating organic food, but often I can't taste the difference – which can be the deciding factor for me.

How tidy is your kitchen?

I like to have a really tidy kitchen, and clear up as I go along so that there's much less to clear up when I've finished cooking.

This article was first published in the Scotland on Sunday on November 1, 2009