Chris Cranswick-Smith, Emmilou
Emmilou recently turned 3 and to celebrate Head Chef/Owner Chris Cranswick-Smith threw a pirate party. Arrrggh it was was a brilliant affair and after the empty coconuts and pirate swords were cleared and the dust had settled it was time for Chris to walk the plank and answer a few questions with Ms Darlinghurst.
So Captain Hook, what inspired you to be a chef? Definitely the lure of travelling, eating, drinking and learning about different cultures all around the world.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far? Starting my business from scratch at 25 and building Emmilou to what it is today.
What’s bee the biggest highlights of your career so far? A lot have been from overseas. Anything from picking new season cherries off the trees in the Pyrenees in the south of France to working in the elite super yacht industry. Cooking for the Prince of Bahrain and cooking for royalty. Travelling and being inspired on the whole, which ultimately culminated to everything, I’ve put into Emmilou.
Who inspires you? People who inspire me are chefs or hospitality professionals that are businessmen as well. A lot of chefs put so much focus on trying to do the craziest outlandish things they can with food. For me the most important thing is to build my business to be just as strong.
Anyone in particular who inspires you? A few people are Gordan Ramsay, not just for his culinary skills but for his business prowess. Justin Hemmes. Matt Moran, although he gave me a hard time when I worked for him but I was a cheeky fourth year apprentice so I probably deserved it!
How has social media impacted your business? I think the advent of social media has started to impact my business quiet a lot in the past year. It’s real time and I can connect with my customers. Not just from an advertising perspective but actually being able to connect with my customers and fans from Ready Steady Cook who want to reach me as a business owner and Emmilou as a brand in real time.
Favourite cheap eat in Sydney:? A little place called Café Ish just around the corner from Emmilou on Campbell St. It’s owned by a guy called Josh and his wife, they’re a hilarious couple they’re always yelling and fighting during service. His food is awesome it’s essentially really good, fun café food. He does a crocodile sausage and eggs Benedict with soft shell crab. He nails it and the portions are really generous.
Favourite style of eating? Social dining, having a focus on being around friends. Whether that be a casual picnic by the beach with a BBQ or a relaxed dinner at home.
Drink of choice? Do I just have to say one? I do love tequila but my favourite drink would be rum old fashioned.
What do you do for play? I love being outside, surfing definitely, skiing and snowboarding when I can. Anything at the beach.
Other than your own kitchen where would you take a date? Table 4! Nah probably Rambutan, downstairs in the bar. Nice drinks, good food in a relaxed bar without the wankiness.
Craziest thing you’ve ever eaten? I don’t like eating really weird things. Crocodile…I tried a bit of horse in the Philippines. I didn’t like it.
What next? This year there’s a lot going on. I’ve just launched a catering company called Private Chefs Solutions. It will be exclusive tailored catering. Helping people to create a party in their own home and cooking classes.
Pics from the 3rd Birthday Bash
Category: Interviews
