Breadcrumbs [Food](/life/food) / 07 February 2019 # My Life in Food: Margot Henderson As one half of London’s coolest caterers (Arnold & Henderson, who’ve catered parties for Kate Moss, no less) and one half of the capital’s most influential food couple (her husband is St John’s Fergus Henderson), Margot Henderson is a stalwart on the British dining scene. Here the Rochelle Canteen founder shares her favourite haunts, must-cook dishes and food memories… [ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/18688) ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0upQsOfjgkUZf_lDEFpAYNWrJkE=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F1margot-hendersoncopytext.jpg) What restaurant from your childhood will always stay with you? Plimmer Steps in Wellington, New Zealand. I would sprint down Lambton Quay to meet my mother for lunch. I had my first artichoke vinaigrette there and drank beautiful soups. What was the first dish you learned to cook? Snails, garlic and bread crumbs. I was about eight. We were studying French and had to bring snails in from the garden. I loved it… well, who doesn’t love fried garlic? It then became my thing and I would cook them for my mother’s dinner parties and was given snails for my birthday. Which restaurant do you revisit most often? Well my own, of course, and my husband’s, [St John](https://stjohnrestaurant.com/). Then, [The Canton Arms](http://www.cantonarms.com/) – our local in South Lambeth, [Xu](https://xulondon.com/) and [Royal China](https://www.royalchinagroup.co.uk/). If I had lot more cash, I’d be at Ikeda every day. Do you have a favourite chef? Of course, Fergus Henderson. I’m his number one fan! But then also Raquel Carena at [Barratin](https://lefooding.com/fr/restaurants/restaurant-le-baratin-paris) because of her effortless beautiful cooking. She cooks a brain like a dream. What’s been your favourite recent restaurant opening? [Xu](https://xulondon.com/), I love its luxurious deliciousness in every way. The food is delicious, every mouthful is like eating a gem. It’s a treat to be there… although I always drink too much sake. Which restaurant should everyone visit in their lifetime? [St John](https://stjohnrestaurant.com/)! What’s your most memorable meal? There are so many: from eating live fish in Chicago with Charlie Trotter to visiting [Le Baratin](https://lefooding.com/fr/restaurants/restaurant-le-baratin-paris), my favourite restaurant where I cried at Raquel’s menu. She is an amazing chef. A good meal is when it all comes together: family, friends, love, food, wine and a great atmosphere. A few years ago, we had a family holiday to Paris, and we all took my mother to Le Grand Véfour. I went there on my honeymoon and it was wonderful, although sadly not truffle season. We sat in Marie Antoinette’s seat and the food was incredible. The pain of the bill stayed with us for a week, but the joy of the food and wine remained. Crazy glamour. ![St John](https://media.sheerluxe.com/sDXD_L9KGPFvYMr0uSrH7QQx_2o=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F2st-john.jpg) St John ![ Xu Restaurant](https://media.sheerluxe.com/kjynNyH39vleoHkiMiaxYhPUOrk=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F3xu.jpg) Xu Restaurant ![ Le Grand Véfour](https://media.sheerluxe.com/skbX0v69czTSp6utiZ6OeEcJmkg=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F4le-grand-vefour.jpg) Le Grand Véfour Where’s your favourite pub? [The French House](http://www.frenchhousesoho.com/) in Soho, a brilliant pub! Then my lovely local [The Canton Arms](http://www.cantonarms.com/). And what about your favourite London bar? [Chiltern Firehouse](http://www.chilternfirehouse.com/). At Rochelle Canteen, you’re known for your staff breakfasts. What’s the best way to start the day? With a coffee, scrambled eggs and a black velvet (half champagne, half Guinness) on the side. What’s your go-to dish on a Sunday night? A good cheese toastie. What’s your top recommendation for a date location? [The French House](http://www.frenchhousesoho.com/) and if I can say my own restaurant, [Rochelle Canteen](http://www.arnoldandhenderson.com/) at the ICA. What do you like to eat – if anything – after a long, late shift? Chinese food. Who does most of the cooking at home – you or Fergus? I’d say it’s pretty evenly shared between the two of us. I like to cook Asian, whereas Fergus cooked a poached chicken and then mince and tatties over the weekend. I am wondering when my adult children are going to do their bit! ![ St John Doughnuts](https://media.sheerluxe.com/AXahnTgWzJKTxFxw57Rq2OijNX8=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F5st-john-doughnuts-2-stefan-johnsoncopytext.jpg) St John Doughnuts Do you have a favourite cookbook? Roast Chicken And Other Stories by Simon Hopkinson. Where do you like to buy ingredients? Asian Super Market on Hackney Road, Longdan for Asian, the Farmers Market in Oval for all you need for the week, Camisa on Old Compton Street for Italian and the Japan Centre for Japanese. Who’s your favourite dining companion? Fergus. My kids also have the restaurant bug, so love it too. What’s your signature dish if you have people coming for dinner? Roast chicken. If you could invite anyone, who would it be? Elizabeth I. She has always been my hero – strong, powerful, beautiful and most importantly a ginger. What’s the secret to a good dinner party? Good food, good wine and relaxed... so maybe a Negroni to start! ![Chiltern Firehouse](https://media.sheerluxe.com/VugclOXKomd5NcICblEFwhAl3XI=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F6chiltern-firehouse.jpg) Chiltern Firehouse ![Rochelle Canteen](https://media.sheerluxe.com/G5JHeaaEaKO4D5UlLR9RhOo8fHY=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F7rochellecanteenpumpkinsalad011patricianivenfeedmagazinepreview.jpg) Rochelle Canteen ![Japan Centre](https://media.sheerluxe.com/be4-kz8ffGqycmUZkWQ3SOo7yFo=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F8japan-centre.jpg) Japan Centre What’s the best party Rochelle Canteen’s ever catered for? What did you serve? At Jasper Conran’s Italian wedding we served a one-dish white truffle pasta. The smell of 250 people all having truffle shaved for them was a giddy moment. What’s your favourite takeaway or food on-the-go? Indian from [Hotstuff](http://www.welovehotstuff.com/) in Stockwell. Who’s inspired you most when it comes to cooking? Elizabeth David and Fergus. The one dish you always order if you see it on the menu? Spaghetti vongole. What’s your drink of choice? A good gin and tonic. Quickest midweek meal? Pasta with tomato sauce. What's your death row dinner? Sushi, uni (sea urchin), fatty tuna and eel. What’s your idea of a perfect Sunday lunch? Friends, family, good wine, roast pork belly, apple sauce, roast potatoes and cabbage. And the most decadent meal you've ever had? A Japanese meal in Chicago, where they were trained in ikizukuri, where the chefs prepare the sashimi with live fish. It was shocking, wild and delicious. A once in a life time moment and not for the faint hearted. What's your food hell? Food without love. Find Rochelle Canteen at 16 Playground Gardens, Shoreditch, E2 7FA and The Mall, St James's, SW1Y 5AH Visit [ArnoldAndHenderson](http://arnoldandhenderson.com/) [ Sign in to comment with your SheerLuxe profile ](/user/login?destination=)Or continue to comment as a Guest below [View the discussion thread.](http://sheerluxe-dev.disqus.com/) *more from* Life [View All Life](/life) ![Your October Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/IGTSJiKeRURR_xP1iSiStsHhF_Q=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F10%2Fsl-site-assets-021026-horoscopes-hero-thumb.jpg) [Life](/life) / 02 October 2026 [## Your October Horoscope ](/life/your-october-horoscope-6) ![How To Use AI To Get Ahead ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/n2XUNDZBJ4saxCmnazqQXyZ8Eh4=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F09%2Fsl-site-assets-ai-chloe-watts-1.jpg) [The Business Edition](/the-business-edition)/ 30 September 2026 [## How To Use AI To Get Ahead ](/life/how-to-use-ai-to-get-ahead) ![50 ChatGPT Prompts That Could Streamline Your Week](https://media.sheerluxe.com/I0DoNCFCo6Som2sHgXlLEdgtafI=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F09%2Fsl-site-assets-300926-chat-gpt-promots-hero-thumb.gif) [The Business Edition](/the-business-edition)/ 30 September 2026 [## 50 ChatGPT Prompts That Could Streamline Your Week ](/life/50-chatgpt-prompts-that-could-streamline-your-week) ![The Fruity Food Trend You Need To Know About This Season](https://media.sheerluxe.com/St9FnU73HVlbe2j8IaEKoGdvlUk=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F10%2Fsl-site-assets-240926-european-mangoes-thumb.jpg) [Food](/life/food) / 08 October 2026 [## The Fruity Food Trend You Need To Know About This Season ](/life/food/the-fruity-food-trend-you-need-to-know-about-this-season) ![A Definitive List Of London’s Coolest Caterers](https://media.sheerluxe.com/pUHO4BOMC6hZ1jmBUurRxt0xwq0=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F10%2Fsl-site-assets-071026-directory-caterers-hero-thumb-new.jpg) [Food](/life/food) / 07 October 2026 [## A Definitive List Of London’s Coolest Caterers ](/life/food/best-caterers-london) ![What A Foodie Would Buy At This Top Italian Deli](https://media.sheerluxe.com/WkKMZ17rAo7aPOCuZSpqkqM6ev4=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F09%2Fsl-site-assets-100926-thumb-hero-nats-foodie-dash.jpg) [Food](/life/food) / 10 September 2026 [## What A Foodie Would Buy At This Top Italian Deli ](/life/food/what-a-foodie-would-buy-at-this-top-italian-deli) ![10 Things Nutritionist Emily English Always Has In Her Fridge](https://media.sheerluxe.com/yXTCEa4mXnde_bv0gV5oAcsT1ls=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fsl-site-assets-070826-thumbhero-emily-english.jpg) [Food](/life/food) / 07 August 2026 [## 10 Things Nutritionist Emily English Always Has In Her Fridge ](/life/food/emily-english) ![Cult Whole Foods Buys To Pick Up Next Time](https://media.sheerluxe.com/3aA1hY4LI9P5Zl913Qcn_M5379Y=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F07%2Fsl-site-assets-210726-thumb-hero-whole-foods-dash-embed.jpg) [Food](/life/food) / 21 July 2026 [## Cult Whole Foods Buys To Pick Up Next Time ](/life/food/cult-whole-foods-buys-to-pick-up-next-time) ![How The Team Entertain In Summer](https://media.sheerluxe.com/H5NHVYWml11G_v3JejnIjmXM0tY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F06%2Fsl-site-assets-170626-thumb-commercial-summer-entertaining-trends-to-come.jpg) [Food](/life/food) / 17 June 2026 [## How The Team Entertain In Summer ](/life/food/how-the-team-entertain-in-summer) Share This Story [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2Ffood%2Fmy-life-in-food-margot-henderson&t=My+Life+in+Food%3A+Margot+Henderson) [ Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2Ffood%2Fmy-life-in-food-margot-henderson&description=My+Life+in+Food%3A+Margot+Henderson&media=) [ E-mail ]() DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. 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