In conversation with Emily Scott

Cornwall, Bordeaux and white miso - things that make my guest's heart sing

This month I bring you my conversation with the wonderful chef and cookbook author, Emily Scott. Emily is the chef behind one of my favourite restaurants at Watergate Bay in Cornwall (read all about it and my other Cornwall recommendations here) and is about to release her second cookbook Time & Tide into the world. This book encompasses all my favourite things - British seafood (of course), cooking veg with the seasons, hedgerow jams, lazy long lunches, recipes you can potter to, seaweed and herbs, beach picnics in all weathers, cosy soups, family feasts, and seaside suppers. It’s a beautiful, delicious book and one of you lucky lot can WIN A COPY simply by being one of my cherished paid subscribers.

I absolutely love quizzing my guests about what makes their hearts sing, but I’d love to know what makes YOUR heart sing. Please share in the comments then I’ll round them up in a newsletter at the end of the month for us to admire and take inspiration from!

To catch up on my previous conversations with people I love, click here and let me know in the comments section who you would like to hear from next. And stay tuned for next week’s newsletter which will include a summer playlist to boogie along to and a brand new summer salad recipe. But for now, here is the amazing Emily…

Left and right images credit: Kristin Perers (from Time & Tide)

*To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Emily’s new cookbook, all you have to do is be a paid subscriber (no need to fill in any details). Delivery within Europe only.

You and what you do in a nutshell?

My passion for the connection between food, a sense of place and storytelling I find infectious, intriguing and comforting all at the same time. My story is one which interweaves the sentimental tales of a childhood in Provence with my grandfather ‘Papa’ collecting strawberries from the fields to the hum of crickets in the warm sunshine, to the beautiful shores of Cornwall and golden sandy beaches. Experience and memories are translated into ingredients which collectively are heightening into simplistic, rustic dishes which are easily recreated at home. A sense of place.

What makes you feel your best?

I am an early bird, always up and out. This is the time I feel at my best, that first cup of tea, planning my day and a walk on the beach. Excited for my day ahead. That said, I always love to get to bed earlier than later when I can. I love my bed which has not always gone hand in hand with restaurant life.

Please share some of your feel good tips?

Each morning I try to give myself some time, meaning just time for myself, some space before I look at my emails, messages or social media. Over the years I have realised how I have sometimes invested too much time jumping from one thing to the next, exhausting myself so finding space between things in the day is important. Find those moments they will restore you.

What’s your favourite season?

Oh my goodness, tough question and am I allowed to say I love them all for different reasons but as a summer baby (born in July) I do love the golden days of summer and all the colour that it brings. The abundance of ingredients from strawberries, raspberries, apricots, figs, currants, gooseberries, tomatoes, soft herbs and the first of the blackberries that fill up my kitchen. Eating outside under leafy trees or picnics by the sea. Balmy days (if the Cornish weather allows).

What do you like to cook? Or what’s the ingredient you couldn’t live without or best sums you up?

More than one ingredient but for me I feel like all these belong together. Lemons (citrus are so important, it can lift any dish). Good olive oil, Cornish sea salt, parmesan and herbs. (Ooh and white miso is essential).

Your fave comfort meal

If suitably hungover, crunchy peanut butter on toast or cheese on toast (always toast). Or Crab Linguine.

What’s your afternoon pick me up?

A square of dark chocolate (54%) and a cup of rooibos tea, for me this stops the dip in my day and stops me craving sugar. Simply so good.

A ‘chore’ you find satisfying and relaxing?

I love gardening and I am relatively new to this. Growing what I want to cook and eat is wonderful. Like cooking I love the processes - sowing, planting, weeding, snipping and watering all the wonders.

A book you’d recommend we read immediately

Lessons in Chemistry (LOVE)

Tell us about a small business you love

Nicole Heidaripour Illustrations. Nicole is my sister in law and is married to my brother Daniel Scott who is a sculptor (both SO talented).

Where’s your special place?

Bordeaux. Exciting days spent meandering through the markets discovering nature’s seasonal offerings, tasting honey, cheese, charcuterie, colours, the energy, the buzz, the Bordelaise flair is mesmerising. The famous wine growing region, a port city on the Garonne River. Forget Paris, this French city has everything for me. I’ve written about Bordeaux, including my favourite spots on my Substack *My Kitchen Journal* .

One day we will live there and make a life there, for now we enjoy Cornwall to Bordeaux, two places that we love.

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Emily’s book Time & Tide comes out on 6th July and you are automatically in with a chance of winning a copy by being here! You can also order a copy here. And if you’d like to follow Emily on instagram you can do that here.