Tariq Malik is Foodservice sales manager at Caterite Foodservice
What was your first ever job?
It was as commis chef at The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh. This job was the start of my career in food. As a young chef, those big characters moulded the way I worked and provided a perfect platform for me to explore food and ingredients.
How would your colleagues at Caterite describe you?
I asked my colleague Jinglin Li and she said: “Tariq has a real passion about food. He is full of ideas, and always likes to share and inspire. He is a real influencer, too – I almost spent £65 buying an active chair because of him!”
What would your perfect day involve?
My perfect day is always out walking the fells either with my family or when friends come to visit us.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport that would give you a chance of winning a medal, what would it be?
Eating out. I love it, and it does not have to be posh food, either, just good food!
If time and money were not an issue, what hobby would you most like to get into?
Heliskiing – now that is a way to spend the weekend. Skiing is still a big passion for me. I learned when I was very young and it has stuck with me.
What is your song of choice at karaoke?
I am not really one for karaoke, but it would be Celebration by Kool and the Gang.
Who would be your four ideal dinner party guests?
Comedian Peter Kay, my cooking idol Raymond Blanc, musician Huey Morgan, and magician Dynamo.
What would you cook them?
Crab cappuccino, which is heavenly; something with venison loin, which is currently my favourite cut of meat; and apple tarte tatin with homemade vanilla ice cream.
What fad or trend would you like to see make a comeback? The thing with fads and trends is they are great at the time but rarely great on a return. But, I do have a few pairs of baggy jeans still lying around that could do with a little jaunt out.
If you were a superhero, what would you choose as your superpower?
Teleportation. It could also be a handy superpower for a night out, but while I would be first at the bar at every bar, I would be out of pocket, so I might have to rethink that.
What do you wish you knew more about?
DIY. I cannot do anything other than paint and hang wallpaper badly. Stick me in B&Q and I am like a lost child.
When was the last time you changed your belief or opinion about something major?
Throughout my youth. I always had a dislike for politics – I was quite a rebellious kid. Now, though, I seriously follow it. The political landscape nowadays is so exciting and hugely different to when I was growing up.
