really feel that London is in a great state of mind when it comes to restaurants and it has more variety than Paris. By that I mean you can have great French food, great English food, great Indian, great Korean…that seems to lack a little bit in Paris. I was just excited to get back here.”
She added: “I definitely want to create my own niche, that’s the plan, to open something of my own but I’ve not been back for very long and so I need to adapt to this new city that’s changed so very much.
“I’m currently doing lots of different things, as well as working for Restaurant Associates I’m in the process of doing a cook book and that’s taking a lot of my time! It’s in collaboration with my mother who is an extremely good baker. I’ll also be doing more pop ups like this one tonight.”
Emily will be joined in the kitchen by Angela Hartnett and Rachel Humphrey as they collaborate on a menu and draw focus on women in hospitality. “It was an idea both myself and my father had,” said Emily.
“Women in hospitality is an ongoing discussion, I was at an event debating this just last week and how we can get more women into the industry, this male dominated industry – so this event seemed like a really good idea especially with Rachel being the executive chef of Le Gavroche. And we thought we’d partner up with someone else to make it a really special event.
“Rachel is a hundred percent English, I’m a bit of French and Angela will be a bit of Italy so we have three countries and it will be great fun.”
Emily added: “When I was young, I really liked Anne-Sophie Pic, she also took over from her father and she’s really inspirational. Then growing up I guess Monica Galetti, Rachel and Angela of course, they are all really well established now and they have done amazingly well. They show you that it can be done.”
As a chef Emily is clearly passionate about seeing more women in the kitchen but does this change the dynamics of that environment in a positive way?
“I’ve known Rachel since I was only a few years old, the team she has is young and there are some girls in there as well so it’s enjoyable working there,” said Emily.
“Having women in the kitchen changes it to a certain extent but you do need men and women in a team. You need two or three level headed women who are calm and don’t react – you just need the right balance. “Hopefully it will change, there are a lot more young female chef role models now, with families, with restaurants and achieving all their goals.” 
Tonight each chef has two dishes and Emily will be doing the fish and the cheese course, she will also be taking over The Staff Canteen Instagram account so you can see first-hand the dishes she, Rachel and Angela cook from start to finish.
“Social media is so important,” said Emily.
“It’s probably not that important for Le Gavroche itself because it’s been established for so many years that people know it but I think for any young chef who wants to get out there it’s vitally important.”
She added: “My grandfather can only just answer the phone on his iPhone! I don’t think he texts, but he is 80 so we give him a hand. I think he sees the importance of social media but I don’t think he grasps how important.
“I think it is fun I guess because I’m not addicted to it, I enjoy posting two or three pictures on Instagram but also looking at other peoples, you find some great restaurants on there.”
Emily is hoping to do one pop up a month at Le Gavroche, with a few lined up in other locations so you can still sample her food while she is looking for a London restaurant of her own.
By Cara Houchen
@canteencara
