My mum acquired me into cooking from a really younger age. I used to be all the time round meals, be it at residence or out locally. She was from the Caribbean and was very decided I knew about my heritage – and meals was an enormous a part of that.
You are going to must clarify the idea behind the 12:51 title?
I did a pop up at a pub run by my now enterprise companion Dan. Afterwards we sat having one too many drinks and there was some extent after we each knew we needed to work collectively and open a restaurant. By likelihood the tune 12:51 by the Strokes got here on at that actual second – and the remainder is historical past.
Identify a few of your greatest meals inspirations?
Anthony Bourdain, Grant Achatz, Mark Stubbs, and Brett Graham. I’ve picked up influences from throughout however these 4 have had a huge impact on me. Anthony Bourdain and Grant Achatz from afar, Brett Graham and Mark Stubbs first-hand within the kitchen as I used to be studying my commerce at Wheeler’s Oyster Bar, The Ledbury and The Harwood Arms.
Who ought to we be careful for within the meals scene proper now?
Is it too a lot to say, myself?…Severely, I am loving what John and Desiree Chantarasak are doing at AngloThai, conventional Thai recipes with seasonal British components. And the boys at Fallow know methods to take one thing humble and make it sing – but additionally myself. Haha.
How are you describing your cooking model?
I am attempting to symbolize my roots on a plate. Mother and father from St Vincent within the Caribbean and Glasgow, Scotland, raised in Whitstable on the Kent coast – all that’s there to see in my model. As a restaurant it is fine-dining, however we aren’t stuffy or elitist. My meals is for everybody, and everybody ought to be capable to expertise good meals.
Inform us about your Scotch Bonnet Jam?
The recipe has been with me for a very long time, clearly influenced by my love of Caribbean delicacies. I used it on Nice British Menu and it is on my fried hen dish at 12:51 since we opened in 2018 – it is the most well-liked dish on the menu. Folks got here to the restaurant and would go loopy for it, so we knew we needed to bottle it up. It took years of graft however to get to the purpose when it is really on sale feels superb.
Learn our article on the best uses for Scotch Bonnet Jam.
What’s your your go-to cookbook?
I feel it is good to not simply stick to 1 supply however I flip to Alinea by Grant Achatz, Pastry by Michel Roux and Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry, Per Se for inspiration.
Favorite dish on the 12:51 menu?
My jerk fried hen with corn nuts, coriander and Scotch Bonnet Jam. It could not be the rest. I am certain it is not what many individuals would consider as fine-dining, however it’s what I am all about – it is unpretentious, however such a particular dish. It is not your common fried hen, the flavours and high quality of components take it to a different stage. It has been on each menu we have ever had on, and it all the time shall be. It represents me.
What’s up subsequent for James Cochran?
Throughout lockdown we needed to shut the restaurant, so we used that point to start out Around the Cluck. It is my connoisseur twist on the traditional fried hen store. I am taking fried hen to the following stage. We have been doing supply from 12:51 and folks beloved it, so now we need to give it its personal website. It will be quickly, I can not say far more now, however watch this area.
Identify one dish everybody ought to be capable to prepare dinner?
A roast dinner. Everybody ought to be capable to get roast out. I like roast, as most individuals do. It is a British establishment! I assume it is one factor folks ought to be capable to do, they usually’re not that tough to do effectively, so no excuses!
Ideas on the road meals/pop-up meals motion that appears to be in all places proper now?
To be sincere it has change into a bit over-saturated. You may’t transfer for avenue meals these days. Do not get me improper, it is a actually constructive factor they’re bringing various kinds of meals and cuisines to folks and locations that may not have skilled them earlier than and it is a platform for up-and-coming companies – however it’s getting onerous to dissect the nice from the nice.
Favorite locations to eat in London in addition to 12:51?
I lived in South London for 15 years and Silk Road in Camberwell stands out. Their Xinjiang model of Chinese language cooking presents many uncommon issues that you simply don’t usually see in Chinese language eating places on this nation. All the things is packed filled with flavour. Drinks are BYO and the meals is affordable – spend twenty quid and also you’re full.
We’ve all acquired one, however give us the weirdest meals combo that you simply love?
I prefer to experiment with plenty of completely different meals combos, Typically the weirdest ones, you will be pondering, no means will this work however then they do. I feel when you do not strive, how will you ever know. Proper now, I am vibing off crab and blue cheese, it is a banging combo, consider me.
Why select to work with Sauce Store?
Who higher than the corporate who makes the most effective sauces within the recreation? I knew they use no components of their sauces – it is all pure child! And I like that. They give attention to straight up flavour, and so do I. It was the good match. My Scotch Bonnet Jam has to style precisely how I make it, or I would not let folks purchase it – they usually nailed it. Plus James and Pam are legends, in order that helps.
