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Sky News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
'I don't understand why people go there': Renowned chef on the restaurant chain he dislikes
Every week, our Money blog team interviews chefs from around the UK, hearing about their cheap food hacks and more. Today, we chat to Steven Smith, chef patron of Japanese restaurant KAJI in Manchester. I don't think we should be looking at a minimum spend in restaurants... but maybe a deposit. No-shows have a much larger impact than someone ordering a small meal. The most overrated restaurant is... Hungry Horse Carvery. You can eat well on a budget, so I don't understand why people still choose to go there. My favourite restaurant chain is... Rudy's pizza - you know what you're gonna get, fantastic price, quick service. I'd probably order one of their specials, but you also can't go wrong with their classic margherita. It's fine to just order tap water... We have to cater for everyone. With the current economic climate, we don't want to exclude anyone. A guest who comes in for a small meal one day may love it and come back with their whole family the week after. You never know. A great cheap eat in Manchester is... Kabana in the Northern Quarter - amazing Pakistani food that's cheap and delicious. I'd go on a Sunday and get their special Lamb Nihari. The one thing I hate that some customers do is… say they have stringent dietary requirements, then change their mind when they want to try something. It makes a mockery of people who have real dietary requirements or allergies. One thing I never want to see in a restaurant again… silver service and white gloves. Influencers... There is certainly a place for them in the restaurant world - a lot of them are massive foodies, so really do appreciate the food we serve. However, if an influencer visits a different restaurant every week for free and praises everyone equally, then their content isn't very authentic. That's why we still need the press guides - they're a more veritable source. The best chefs in the UK are… Mark Birchall, chef patron at Moor Hall and Gareth Ward, chef patron at Ynyshir. I've known Mark since I was 17 and have immensely enjoyed watching his constant pursuit of excellence. And as for Gareth, I really admire his IDGAF attitude. They're at two ends of the spectrum, both cooking at the highest possible standard, but one has embraced the rule book, and one has ripped it up. The best city in the world to eat is... New York. I've kicked customers out... Once, it was two football hooligans having a scrap. Then we've had customers being rude to me or my staff. If you came for dinner at my house, you wouldn't be rude - so why do people think it's ok to be rude at a restaurant? You're coming for dinner at mine, so treat me and my staff with respect. My go-to cheap meal is... Gochujang butter stir-fried noodles. It's spicy, savoury, and seriously satisfying. This recipe serves two.... 200g dried egg noodles or instant ramen (no seasoning packets) 1 tbsp neutral oil 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced 100g white cabbage, finely shredded 1 carrot, peeled into ribbons or thinly sliced
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
10 stalls at Teban Gardens Food Centre worth planting yourself at
We all know the big names in Jurong — Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre, Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre, etc. But what if I told you there's a hidden gem tucked away in a quiet corner of Jurong East? Say hello to Teban Gardens Food Centre, an under-the-radar hawker centre full of cheap and good eats. Established in 1976, this food centre houses 28 stalls (mostly run by the elderly, I've noticed). While it is not the biggest, it carries a variety of cuisines at super affordable prices! It is most popular among elderly residents and nearby office workers during lunchtime. With that, here are 10 stalls at Teban Gardens Food Centre that'll leaf you wanting more. Kicking things off with something SPICY! Masala Curry Chicken Noodle brings the heat to Teban Gardens with their hearty curry dishes that carry a flavour reminiscent of my days in primary and secondary school. Fun fact: my secondary school is within walking distance from the food centre. At S$5.50/S$6.50, their signature Curry Chicken Noodle comes with pieces of thick, meaty chicken, potato, sponge-y tau pok (fried beancurd puff) and crunchy tau geh (bean sprouts). A bite of the yellow noodle and curry gravy combo promises an explosion of flavour in your mouth (and stomach, but I won't get into that). They've also got Pork Ribs Curry Rice/Noodle (S$6.50) for those who prefer a different protein instead. Daily: 8am – 3pm S$2 Duck Porridge? In this economy? I'm left wondering how the auntie running the stall can sustain her business to this day. Tan Hock Seng Cooked Food serves a variety of classic braised meat dishes with rice/noodles, like the aforementioned Duck/Chicken Porridge (S$2), Chicken Feet Noodle (S$3) and (S$4). Their porridge sells out pretty fast, so be sure to head down early to secure a bowl. In its stead, I tried their Kway Chap, which was easily above average — silky rice noodles in a light herbal broth, paired with fresh and tender braised pork belly and intestines. Their chilli had a piquant kick that accompanied the dish perfectly. Daily: 9am – 2.30pm To keep this 'under S$3 per dish' streak going is 捷兴 JH, run by an uncle who has allegedly been hawkering at Teban Gardens for over 40 years! With only 3 items on the menu priced at S$2.50/S$3: Fishball Noodle Soup, Fishball Noodle Dry and Fishball Soup, I think it's pretty clear what they specialise in. Although they haven't got many Google reviews, what they do have is a loyal following of regulars who enjoy JH's springy fishballs and noodles loaded with minced meat. Their chilli is said to have quite the kick, so I'd recommend opting for a less spicy version if you're worried about your spice tolerance. Mon to Sat: 5am – 2pm Closed on Sun Here's a classic. I mean, what's a hawker centre without a chicken rice stall, right? Even then, with its vibrant blue signage, Poh Poh Roasted Chicken Rice easily stood out in the crowd. It's one of the few stalls here that open till night, for those of you who can't wake up in the morning (no judgement, same here). They serve classic roast meats like Roasted Chicken Rice (S$4/S$5/S$6) and Roasted Duck Rice (S$5), just to name a few. If anyone's interested in bringing some home to share, they have an option for a Whole chicken (S$30) and a Whole duck (S$45), too. Poh Poh's Roasted Chicken and Meat (S$7) was loaded with ingredients, especially with the addition of the Braised egg (S$0.70) and Braised Pig Skin (S$1). Special shoutout to the pork belly slices that had a beautifully crackly skin that was well-seasoned with salt. You're guaranteed a hearty and satisfying meal here! Fri to Wed: 7.30am – 8.30pm (Opening Hours are not verified) Closed on Thu Facebook Okay, let's take a quick break with some dessert. Previously known as Granny's Pancake, The Story of Job sells soft and fluffy min jiang kueh with a variety of delicious fillings. From classics like Coconut ($1.20) and Red Bean ($1.20), to an indulgent Hz'nut Choc P'nut ($1.40), there's bound to be something for every sweet tooth here. As a self-proclaimed min jiang kueh connoisseur, I'd highly recommend the Peanut w/ Sweet Corn (S$1.40). The crunchy sweet peanuts paired well with the creamy corn mixture that was lightly salted, making for a yummy sweet and savoury combination. They even sell a handful of traditional desserts such as Green Bean Soup (S$1.70) and Beancurd with (S$2), if that's more up your alley instead. Wed to Sat, Mon: 5.30am – 2pm Sun: 5.30am – 1pm Closed on TueOrder Delivery: foodpanda 11 best food places at Jurong Point for munching in the West's largest mall Craving a delicious grilled protein after a grilling workout session? Cornerstall Do & Me BBQ Fried Chicken Western Food's got you covered. With over 30 dishes on their menu covering a range from Chicken Chop (S$6.50), Mushroom Chicken Spaghetti (S$5.50) to even a Sirloin Steak (S$15) if you're feeling a little more bougie. Most protein mains come with a side of crinkly-cut fries, baked beans and coleslaw. It's pretty standard, but portions are generous and at this price? Say less. Wed to Sun: 12pm – 7.30pm Closed on Mon & Tue The outermost right row of this food centre hosts most of the Muslim food stalls, and P. Baharnisha Muslim Food Stall is a notable one. They serve a plethora of authentic Malay and Indian dishes packed with bold flavours at budget prices (are you starting to see the trend here?) I can imagine myself coming here for a plate of their signature sweet yet fiery (S$4.50), or a Roti with Egg (S$1.80) for an indulgent breakfast. By the way, they also sell , which I don't see often in food centres! For just S$1.30 a piece, you can get your hands on this delicately sweet pancake-like treat that carries a subtle tanginess. Mon to Sat: 5am – 10am, 11am – 7:30pm Sun: 5am – 10 am, 11am – 5.30pm Only open till 10am, Haji E-Moiden Food Stall prides themselves in their legendary roti prata made fresh daily, said to have a crispy exterior while moist and fluffy on the inside. Pick from your favourite classic flavours, starting with the cheapest Plain (S$1.20) to the priciest Egg Cheese (S$2.50). Aside from the usual curries, I'm especially stoked that they offer sambal tumis upon request! Super Malaysian style. If you've never had your prata with sambal, this is your sign to head down and try it for yourself. Beyond just their food, this stall is also known for their excellent service. Many customers have praised the owners' consistent friendly demeanour despite pressure from the long queues. Tue to Sun: 5am – 10am Closed on Mon Facebook | Easily recognisable by its long queues, Le Ping Healthy Fish Meat Soup is known for their low-calorie, deliciously fresh fish soups. What sets this stall apart from the usual fish soup stalls is that every bowl comes with bitter gourd. I know, it's either something you love or hate but cooked in this flavourful broth, it definitely lends it a tasteful balance. Try their Batang Fish Meat Fish Maw Bitter Gourd Mee Sua Soup (S$6/S$10) (what a mouthful) to find out! Other bowls are also similarly priced at S$6/S$10, and the ones with more premium ingredients take it up a notch to S$10/S$16. Daily: 6am – 4pm Ending our list off with Mr Mysterious. The name listed on their signage, 大排擋 (dà pái dǎng), translates to 'big license stall'. It is a type of traditional food stall in Hong Kong, characterised by an open-air space and affordable eats. With all that being said, I still couldn't find their stall on the internet. All you need to know is that they serve up 13 types of nourishing Cantonese-style soups such as the Lotus Root Pork Ribs Soup (S$4.50) and Black Chicken Soup (S$5.80). They also do -style dishes, albeit with a smaller variety than a stall specialising in it. Regardless, it would pair nicely with the warm, hearty soups. Unfortunately, their opening hours aren't listed online. But if you happen to be at the food centre and see that it's open, do give it a try! Although only 10 stalls were mentioned in this guide, don't limit yourself to this list! Do take note that most stalls are open from morning until early afternoon only, and… the early bird catches the worm, yeah? Don't say I didn't warn you! The next time you want to introduce your friends to a hidden hawker gem in the West, just bring them to Teban Gardens Food Centre. 13 best food places in Westgate to eat from when visiting Jurong The post 10 stalls at Teban Gardens Food Centre worth planting yourself at appeared first on
Sky News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
'I don't understand why people go there': Renowned chef on the restaurant chain he just doesn't understand
Every week, our Money blog team interviews chefs from around the UK, hearing about their cheap food hacks and more. Today, we chat to Steven Smith, chef patron of Japanese restaurant KAJI in Manchester. I don't think we should be looking at a minimum spend in restaurants... but maybe a deposit. No-shows have a much larger impact than someone ordering a small meal. My go-to cheap meal is... Gochujang butter stir-fried noodles. It's spicy, savoury, and seriously satisfying. This recipe serves two.... 200g dried egg noodles or instant ramen (no seasoning packets) 1 tbsp neutral oil 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 small onion, thinly sliced 100g white cabbage, finely shredded 1 carrot, peeled into ribbons or thinly sliced 2 medium eggs The most overrated restaurant is... Hungry Horse Carvery. You can eat well on a budget, so I don't understand why people still choose to go there. My favourite restaurant chain is... Rudy's pizza - you know what you're gonna get, fantastic price, quick service. I'd probably order one of their specials, but you also can't go wrong with their classic margherita. It's fine to just order tap water... We have to cater for everyone. With the current economic climate, we don't want to exclude anyone. A guest who comes in for a small meal one day may love it and come back with their whole family the week after. You never know. A great cheap eat in Manchester is... Kabana in the Northern Quarter - amazing Pakistani food that's cheap and delicious. I'd go on a Sunday and get their special Lamb Nihari. The one thing I hate that some customers do is… say they have stringent dietary requirements, then change their mind when they want to try something. It makes a mockery of people who have real dietary requirements or allergies. One thing I never want to see in a restaurant again… silver service and white gloves. Influencers... There is certainly a place for them in the restaurant world - a lot of them are massive foodies, so really do appreciate the food we serve. However, if an influencer visits a different restaurant every week for free and praises everyone equally, then their content isn't very authentic. That's why we still need the press guides - they're a more veritable source. The best chefs in the UK are… Mark Birchall, chef patron at Moor Hall and Gareth Ward, chef patron at Ynyshir. I've known Mark since I was 17 and have immensely enjoyed watching his constant pursuit of excellence. And as for Gareth, I really admire his IDGAF attitude. They're at two ends of the spectrum, both cooking at the highest possible standard, but one has embraced the rule book, and one has ripped it up. The best city in the world to eat is... New York. I've kicked customers out... Once, it was two football hooligans having a scrap. Then we've had customers being rude to me or my staff. If you came for dinner at my house, you wouldn't be rude - so why do people think it's ok to be rude at a restaurant? You're coming for dinner at mine, so treat me and my staff with respect.
Sky News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Great British Menu judge on a 'ridiculously good' own-brand product, complaining in restaurants and wine list tip
Every week the Money blog interviews top chefs from around the UK, hearing about their cheap food hacks, views on the industry and more - and they don't come much more celebrated than Lorna McNee, executive chef at Michelin-starred Cail Bruich in Glasgow. This year she became a judge on Great British Menu, having been crowned champion of champions on the show in 2019. This is her Cheap Eats interview... My favourite own-brand product is... the Waitrose Basque cheesecake, hands down. It's ridiculously good. Rich, creamy, just the right amount of caramelised top... honestly, it's dangerous having it in the fridge. My favourite restaurant chain... has got to be Nando's. I go extra hot every time - no messing around. I always get a wrap with halloumi added, and then go all in with corn on the cob, spicy rice and fries on the side. Absolute perfection. And yes, I do judge anyone who orders lemon and herb. One UK restaurant that's worth blowing out for... has to be The Ledbury in London. Every time I've been it's absolutely blown me away. The level of finesse, the depth of flavour, the way they handle produce - it's all just exceptional. You can feel the passion in every course. It's one of those places where you leave genuinely inspired. If you're going to treat yourself, that's the spot to do it. I'll phone a restaurant if I'm going to be 10 minutes' late... I know how much planning goes into each service, so I hate the idea of throwing things off or keeping the team waiting. We understand life happens, but a quick call really does go a long way. It shows respect for the effort going on behind the scenes - and if you're like me, it helps ease that little knot of guilt too! The last time I complained in a restaurant... my mum had ordered a dish that was meant to come with haggis bon bons, and when it arrived, it was clearly black pudding. They tried to tell me it was haggis. I stayed calm, but eventually I said: "I'm a chef - I know the difference." That changed the tone pretty quickly! I've got no problem if something's gone wrong, it happens - but just be honest about it. Don't try and pull a fast one, especially when mum's involved! The weirdest request I ever had was... someone ordering, in advance, two bananas (skin on!) and one baked potato wrapped in tinfoil. To this day, I have absolutely no idea why that's what they wanted… no explanation, no context, just that exact request. But hey, if it makes them happy, I'm more than happy to oblige. Don't be afraid to set a price limit when asking for advice about the wine list... or say something like: "I'm looking for something between £X and £Y." It's super helpful and takes the pressure off. I didn't train for years to have a dish go cold while someone's getting the perfect drip shot of a sauce... Some influencers are great - genuinely passionate about food, respectful in the way they share it, and they can really help shine a light on restaurants that deserve it. But then there are the ones who turn up late, ask for "extra aesthetic lighting", spend more time filming than eating, and want the meal comped in return for a reel. It's not a performance - it's a restaurant. Also, if you're going to post reviews or critiques, be mindful. You're not Gordon Ramsay - and a bit of negative clout online might get you likes, but it can really knock a small team working their socks off. Share the love, but do it with respect. The most annoying review I ever had was... someone complaining that they could hear the kitchen. Well, of course you could! It's an open kitchen. Don't dine somewhere with an open kitchen if you don't want to hear it. Reviews, both good and bad, are part of having people take interest in your restaurant - and that's a positive thing. But unless you've had a genuinely poor experience, I do think leaving a bad review can be quite damaging. Especially when it comes from someone with no real understanding of our culture, how hard we work or how much we love what we do. There's always someone behind that plate who's poured their heart and soul into it. You don't have to love every bite , but show a bit of respect. It matters. My favourite cheap place to eat is... Caio in Bridge of Allan. You could get a half pizza - pepperoni would be my go-to - then finish with one of their homemade pistachio gelatos, which is just brilliant. The coffee's great too, proper quality. Here's a cheap mushroom stroganoff recipe... Ingredients: 250g button mushrooms, cut into quarters 250g chestnut mushrooms - cut into quarters 1 onion, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 100ml water with 1 Knorr vegetable or chicken jelly stock cube 100ml double cream 100ml creme fraiche A splash of oil or knob of butter Salt and pepper to taste Fresh tarragon to finish - you could go parsley or chive if you prefer Serve with rice Method: Heat some oil and butter in a pan, then gently cook the onion and garlic until soft. Turn up the heat and add mushrooms, and cook until the mushrooms start to caramelise and release their excess water content. Season with Salt and Pepper. Pour in the stock and let it simmer for 5ᆞ minutes to reduce by half. Add in your cream and bring to the boil. Add in your creme fraiche and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Whilst this is simmering, chop your herb of choice! Check your seasoning and then finish with your herbs. Serve it over rice. (perfect amount being 75g rice from raw). It's cosy, rich and takes around 20 minutes start to finish. You can easily bulk it out with extra veg like spinach or frozen peas - it won't stretch your pocket much further and will fill you for longer. Winning and now being a judge on Great British Menu has had a huge impact on my career... It opened so many doors and brought a level of recognition that you can't really prepare for. When I stepped into the role at Cail Bruich, there was already excitement and curiosity because of GBM, and I think that momentum helped us hit the ground running. But it has changed customer expectations... People arrive now with higher expectations, which is a good thing - it keeps us sharp. There's also a wider variety of diners coming in, not just locals or regulars, but people travelling from further afield who maybe saw the show and want to experience the food in person. GBM has given people a reason to walk through the door for the first time - but it's the team and the experience that keep them coming back. One thing people are often surprised by is just how intense and real the timings on the show are... When you see that clock ticking down on TV - it's not for show. There are no retakes, no pauses. What you cook in that time is what gets judged, full stop. It's incredibly high pressure, but also really exhilarating.
