Kitchen Quiz
With Fraser Reid (Seasonal Soups)
One of our favourite and most popular KP titles is Seasonal Soups by Fraser Reid. This beautiful wee book is now in its second edition and has brought joy to readers around the world with its straightforward, healthy approach to soups.
Author Fraser Reid is an absolutely lovely chap with a strong community ethic. Having experienced a sudden personal nirvana moment with vegetables, Fraser transformed both his career and the local community in the West End of Dundee by opening his wee green fruit and veg corner shop.
The focus has always been on quality, local and international produce all provided with a smiling face and cheery personality. A simple yet powerful and infectious approach. The shop has also become a supplier of other quality deli goods such as Spanish black pudding, fresh baked bread and craft beers.
Fraser’s trademark is his warm and affable style. He really is a business owner who’s personality and passion are at the heart of everything he does. No one just pops into Fraser’s Fruit And Veg without a nice chat or learning something new.
It’s quite interesting that one of our most successful cookbooks is not written by a chef at all, but by someone passionate about produce and who had the courage to try out lots of soup recipes. The purpose being to make the menu at home more interesting, varied and packed full of vegetables. This is a philosophy we are 100% behind here at KP. Cooking is for everyone.
So we caught up with Fraser recently (which is always a pleasure) to ask him a few questions for our Kitchen Quiz series.
We hope you enjoy!
Now over to you Fraser.
Q: Hey Fraser, hope you are good. So was there a cookbook that really inspired you?
A: The cookbook that really inspired me was Jamie at home. We started growing veg in the garden before opening the shop and using the recipes in this book after harvesting. The broad beans fritters in there are amazing.
Q: What is your favourite item in your kitchen that you simply couldn’t do without?
A: My favourite item in the kitchen would be the soup pot. We use it every week and its been the pot that’s tested all of the recipes in Seasonal Soups.
Q: Do you have a favourite song, type of music or podcast you like to cook to?
A: Music is always on in the kitchen. Depending on who’s in, that dictates the tunes.
If it’s my 4 year old then it’s I Like To Move It by will.i.am.
If it’s my 6 year old it’s Katy Perry.
If it’s me it’ll be BBC Six Music.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_6music
Q: If you could cook anywhere in the world in any location then where would you choose?
A: If I could cook anywhere in the world then it would be the simple beachside BBQ. The sound of the waves are mesmerising and feeling on the sun on your skin. I love cooking outdoors.
Q: If you had to give one single piece of advice about cooking to someone then what would that be?
A: My advice on cooking would be not to stick to a recipe but use it as a guide that you can tailor for personal tastes. It also makes you a better cook, just being able to adjust things as you go. Also don’t be afraid of seasoning.
Great advice from a lovely man. Thank you Fraser!
You can order a copy of his wonderful soup book here.
