F Word Series 5 F Word: Chop Chop interview

Meet Chop Chop's rivals

Date Published:

20/11/2009

Introducing Chop Chop, one of the Chinese restaurants competing in Gordon's F Word search for Britain's Best Local Restaurant

Read the interview with Chop Chop's head chef, Jian Wang...

How did you feel when you found out you were on the F Word?

Happy, very happy. The producers called us and I thought it was someone trying to sell advertising until they said Gordon Ramsay and the F Word and that we were in the top two.

Gordon visited, he came and shocked me! I was so shocked and so happy. I cannot say it enough. He had some soup and some of my dumplings and for the main course I made aubergines for him. Three courses. He definitely enjoyed it or he wouldn’t have put us in the final two!

Why do you think Chop Chop was nominated by the public?

I am from North East China and my food is different. Everything is from the North, I don’t have anything from the South or from Hong Kong - it’s all just from my own region. I stay with my own things. Obviously it is the first time people try it; the North food, the dumplings, Northern cuisine. I think that is why people feel it is interesting. And also with the food; if the food is good people will enjoy it. And for European people it is the first time they try and this is what’s interesting.

I only have 72 seats in the restaurant - my customers come back all the time, and also the new as well. My old customers - we’re like a big family now. My old customers have been with me since I opened. They never go anywhere else, they just want to come to my restaurant.

What made you want to become a chef?

I’m just interested in food; I’ve always had a passion for cooking from quite a young age. I have to let people know how good I am! This is why I wanted to be a chef. When you’re cooking it’s all from love; the ingredients for me in the restaurant that are most important are love, passion and a feeling - and salt! Without salt there’s no taste. But it’s so important, everybody can cook if I give them the recipe, but everyone’s cooking is different. Why? It’s because everybody has their own character, passion or love. Nobody can copy anybody, only copy the recipe - but the taste will be so different.

How did you learn to cook?

My grandma and my mum, we’re all very good. I started learning from them. I just enjoy cooking. I didn’t go to chefs' school, I graduated in music - I play the violin. My hands can play music and can cook!

Was food a really big thing in your family?

Yes we're all very fussy with our taste. Even my five year old little girl, she is very, very fussy with the taste; we're very sensitive to the smell of things, the cook of things, whether it's fresh or not fresh. We know right away. I never stop cooking, I just love it. I enjoy it when my cooking is put on the table, this is what cooking is all about.

How will you feel cooking for all the F Word diners?

I always want people to try my food and even here on television, the more people that know my food... I want everyone to know my food, it's just so exciting.

What are you cooking?

Squid with garlic. It's North cooking as well. That's the starter. Main course is my dumpling, lamb with cumin seeds. In Northern China we always have barbecues and this is like a barbecue dish, and also aubergines. Delicious. And pork and coriander dumplings.

What would it mean to you if you won the whole competition?

It means a lot, I'd be so happy. Because I have passion for the food and also I won't change my food. When people come to my restaurant and I serve them food and they want ketchup I always refuse because that is just wrong. It's not good for my customers! But in the end my customer says, 'I realise why you didn't give it us you were right, thank you'. I insist myself, and I'm obviously proved I am right.

Facts about the Chop Chop team

Watch the new series of the F Word, Tuesdays at 9pm on Channel 4

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