
CHEF PHILIPPA DAVIS
Philippa Davis is an International Private Chef and Food Writer. She cooks around the globe for a variety of high profile clients, writes for BBC Food, The Field Magazine and the Deepest Book series. She also recently made her TV debut as the expert food judge on Channel 4’s Beat the Chef.
Philippa grew up on a small farm with her extended family in Dorset. They grew all their own fruit and vegetables and reared their own meat. Meal times were always fun, noisy and inclusive. Kids we were expected to muck in and help with everything from milking the goats to prepping the vegetables and from digging the potato patch to baking the cakes – she absolutely loved it!
WORKING OUT NEW EQUIPMENT IS ALWAYS FUN – BUT IT’S THE SOURCING OF INGREDIENTS I LOVE THE MOST!
Her grandparents were central to sparking her love and respect for good food. At 15 she started a Saturday job in a local organic café run by two women, one of whom was a trained opera singer – who used to burst into Italian arias when things got busy in the kitchen!
She remembers thinking ‘yikes, its so hot, so fast and there is so much going on in here’, but was hooked! At 18 she moved to London and worked at Lidgates the Butchers, Michelin starred The River Café and Moro restaurants before setting up her own project on Mudchute city farm on the Isle of Dogs. On reflection, each one of these places taught her so much but they all had key elements in common. The bosses were very hands on, loved deeply what they did and really looked after their team.
Working as a private chef for the last 11 years has taken Philippa all over the world and she’s cooked for some really interesting people in some really fabulous places. The challenge of launching herself into different kitchens and working out new equipment is always fun – but it’s the sourcing of ingredients that she loves the most.
Once she find out where the job is and if the client has any requests she does a lot of research into finding local artisan produce. Shopping trips usually involves visiting at least 4 – 5 shops which could include farms shops, markets, delicatessens, fishmongers, butchers, chocolatiers, vineyards and cheesemakers. She luckily rarely has to work within a tight budget, so really can go out and buy whatever works best for the feast!
When Philippa first shopped in the markets in the South of France, she was very British and stood there politely queuing. She very soon realised that all the local octogenarians were simply giving her a little elbow and barging in front to get their order in. She now knows better… and providing it is done with plenty of smiles and eye contact, she makes sure she get her turn. It was a whole new level at the wet markets in Singapore, where you not only have to stand your ground but you also have to shout to get the sellers attention, particularly at the busy fish stands. It’s always a challenge when returning to the UK to remember to stand in line quietly!
As well as working as a private chef Philippa is also a Writer. She has currently just published the third book in the ‘Deepest Book’ series, ‘Deepest Somerset’. (Deepest Dorset and Deepest Wiltshire were the first two). The books focus on various aspects of each county including the history, arts, people, places and of course the food and Philippa creates the recipe sections for the books. She starts by researching the history of food in the area then spends a lot of time finding and visiting the artisan producers.
Choosing some of her favourites, she then goes on to create a set of recipes that champion and celebrate the county’s food scene. For Deepest Somerset she was delighted that HRH The Prince of Wales wrote the introduction and locals like Michael Eavis and Sir Cameron Mackintosh wanted to contribute.
All sales from the books go towards local charities. Deepest Books Website
Philippa also has a monthly column in The Field Magazine where she gets to create lots of recipes using British seasonal ingredients and regularly write recipes for BBC Food.
Philippa is optimistic that the coming year should be a busy year of private cheffing, with lots of travel around the UK and abroad already planned. Over the next few months she will also spend a lot of time with the Guild of Fine Food, judging for The Great Taste awards. The days involve a lot of eating and writing constructive feedback to the producers. Each product is tasted by a variety of experts from different backgrounds then they decide what award, if any, to give. The stars awarded can really help a product get onto valuable retail shelves as well as guide the consumer to products that are worth trying. Later on in the year she will also do some judging for the Academy of Chocolate, sounds like a tough gig 😂.
You can follow Philippa’s food and travel adventures on her Instagram @philippadavis_food and find out more on her website www.philippadavis.com