Dale Williams on food
What is your first food memory?
I have so many! It always comes back to family. One of those permanently etched on my mind is when we had a family holiday as kids and my mum, dad, three sisters and I were huddled around a tiny caravan kitchen table in France eating chicken in 40 cloves of garlic which my mum had just prepared. It was literally the chicken, the garlic, a massive French baguette, some wine and our hands. We all just got stuck in and spent hours around that table.
Larkin and I broke a few curfews and had a few nights out - okay, more than a few. You have to let your hair down even if the producers aren’t in love with the idea.
Who was it that taught you how to cook?
Jacky Williams, aka Mum. No surprise there, my mum is hands-down the best cook I know, that includes myself and Larkin ;) She’s a natural and as early as I can remember her food completely spoiled us kids and my dad.
What is your favourite food?
Controversially it’s probably Italian (shhh, don’t tell anyone). There’s something so natural and rustic about it. Minimum fuss and maximum flavour. That said I’m an all-out foodie and will eat anything. I have a particular addiction to chilli, hence my love and passion of spicy foods such as Chinese, Indian and Thai.
What is your worst food?
I don’t really have one, most foods have their place depending on my mood. If I had to pick one I can’t say I understand the appeal of snails.
If you had to impress someone what would you cook them?
That all depends on the guest, I like to customise food around the entertainment. Food brings people together so an intimate meal might be a Michelin-stared affair but a family gathering is all about big one pot food, finger food and sharing dishes.
Tell us a secret about being on Masterchef
Larkin and I broke a few curfews and had a few nights out, okay more than a few. You have to let your hair down even if the producers aren’t in love with the idea. It’s a stressful time.
What was your Masterchef highlight?
Reaching the final three, I was dead and buried at one point following a disastrous round and then I came back with aplomb. I surprised myself that day and it took me by complete surprise.
Masterchef lowlight?
Marcus Waring. Let’s leave it there.
What would be your last meal on earth?
Curried faggots. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, it sounds weird, but blows your mind. A Williams’ family classic.
Is there anything you can’t cook?
I’m not brilliant at being patient so rice and cous cous can sometimes get the better of me.
What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten?
Probably sea urchin, or sea cucumber. The sea urchin was served in a pasta. I had in New York and was stunning. The sea cucumber, however, is welcome to carry on living in the sea.
What is your favourite ingredient to cook with?
I love cooking pizzas, the combinations are endless, punching out the dough is fun as is making the pizza sauce. Everyone can chip in too and you can make it a social event.
