Member of the Month August 2019: Simon Higgins

Here at The Staff Canteen, we feature a different member every month who we think deserves to be celebrated - this month’s winner is Simon Higgins 

• Read more interviews with previous Member of the Month chefs
• Follow Simon Higgins on The Staff Canteen to get his images, recipes and news first!

As a regular contributor to The Staff Canteen website via the Chef+ app, Simon will receive a copy of Bruce Rennie's inaugural cookbook, The Shore, and a mug from The Staff Canteen as well as a goodie bag from Essential Cuisine.

What is your current place of work, position and can you give us a brief

overview of where you have worked before?

I'm currently the head chef of The Greedy Goose restaurant in Malahide co Dublin.

I began as a kitchen porter in the family business at 13. At 16 I began training as a chef. I did stints in restaurants in Dublin, London and Lyon. I have been in a head chef position for the last 5 years.

What is your cooking style and what can people expect from the food on your menu?

I like to use fresh local ingredients in my cooking, my menu focuses on Irish produce done in a tapas style. I like the idea of smaller plates so you can enjoy more of a variety of dishes.

What is your favourite dish to cook and why?

I love to cook anything with fresh pasta. There is an endless amount of ways to cook it and incorporate it into dishes.

Name a food item / dish / ingredient that isn’t considered ‘cheffy’ but you love to eat 

Late night takeaway pizza after service ;) 

What are your plans for the future?

My plan for the future is to continue to cook and learn and eventually open my own place.

Do you have any menu design tricks that help you increase your GP? 

For menu design I like to be creative with cheap local ingredients. I love to use creativity to turn something simple into something special while keeping costs down.

Do you want to be the next Member of the Month, a feature sponsored by Essential Cuisine? Download the Chef+ app for free now and share your images, videos and recipes for a chance to win a goodie bag and The Staff Canteen mug! 

Please note that shipping fees outside of the UK will not be covered by Essential Cuisine. 

If you'd like to buy a copy of The Shore, it is available for purchase here.