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Silvena Rowe
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Interview by Taytula Burke @Teebeewrites
Arriving in the UK as a fresh faced 19-year-old with
a passion for food in tow, Silvena Rowe has managed
to earn the title of being Britain's top female Chef.
With two prestigious awards under her belt, and now
embarking on a television career, it seems like any
plans to stop cooking are well and truly on the back
burner.
So how has this Bulgarian native managed to carve
out such a tremendous career for herself? "Food
has always been my hobby, my passion, my love...
and it derives from pure greed," Silvena tells me in a
Bulgarian accent that does not seem
to have been eroded by the 20 plus
years she has spent in this country.
Coming to the UK was somewhat
of a `eureka' moment for Silvena,
as her taste buds were tantalised by
the variety of cuisines available in
such a culturally diverse country;
something that those of us born here perhaps take
for granted. However, a young Silvena in the early
throes of romance was able to appreciate this right
away. "I remember when my husband was courting
me, he took me to an Indian restaurant my God I
loved it so much."
I had to admit to Silvena at this point that I perhaps
would never have the same wonderment at the
assortment of food we have here as I had always
grown up around it. Silvena did not hesitate to agree,
"Exactly, and that is why you are more worldly and
spoilt." She then goes on to let me in on a little theory
she has which could explain why so many people
born outside the UK, including herself, manage to do
so well here. "People coming from smaller secluded
countries, not just Eastern European countries but
smaller African countries too for example, work
harder because they see this amazing world open up
in front of them. That's how I saw it. I saw what was
on offer and was like `wow, incredible'."
Seeing the opportunities on offer, Silvena grabbed
them with both hands. "I've cooked for royalty,
celebs, developed ranges for supermarkets,
consulted on food for films, and have written food
columns for newspapers and supermarkets," Silvena
tells me in a blasé way that is
not at all representative of her
accomplishments. As if being food
consultant on David Cronenberg's
2007 film Eastern Promises is no
big deal!
As with any Chef worth their salt,
Silvena has also put pen to paper
and produced some amazing books that have helped
further cement her place as the authority on Eastern
Mediterranean/ Eastern European Cuisine. Her book
Feasts won the Glenfiddich Food and Drink Award
in 2007 and it wasn't long before another of her
books, Purple Citrus and Sweet Perfume, won the
Gourmand Award. "The Gourmand award in Paris
is like the Oscars of the cookery world," Silvena tells
me before adding "I couldn't have asked for a bigger
accolade. I was very pleased and very proud of that."
"When I am in
a hot kitchen,
I am very firm
but fair,"
"I don't have a filter in my
head for the things I say,
so that's why people find
it so hilarious."