Four years ago, economics graduate Sophie Morris spent her days chained to an office desk, dreaming about the far away weekend but always a keen foodie, she soon realised that she wasn’t too keen on spending endless hours in a job she didn’t enjoy.
Lucky for Sophie her job allowed her the opportunity to meet finance-savvy Graham Clarke and together the pair kook-ed up a plan to produce good quality cookie dough and set up stalls at farmer’s markets to sell their innovative treats. Fast-forward to 2012 and Kooky Dough is a household name not only in Ireland, but in the United Arab Emirates, the UK and France.
Her.ie sat down with the cookie-wiz who has just knocked up her debut cookbook, Sophie Kooks: Quick and Easy Feel Good Food.
Congratulations on the new book, Sophie! Following your success some may have expected you to write a sweet cookbook but Sophie Kooks is a lovely mixture. What was your inspiration?
When the opportunity came to me to write a cookbook I wanted it to reflect the kind of cook that I am. I run my own food company and I work crazy long hours so I don’t get to spend as much time in the kitchen as I would like to because I do love cooking and I grew up cooking. I wanted to make the recipes accessible for people like me who are working a lot harder than maybe than they were a few years ago. I wanted to create a cookbook that would suit people with hectic lives with simple ingredients.
What’s your favourite thing to cook on a day when you’re feeling a bit lazy or maybe tempted by the call of your local fast-food joint?
I love the Chicken Laksa. It’s just really really quick to make and only takes 20 minutes. It’s just really lovely fresh flavours. The Lemon Chicken and Chilli Pasta is a really good one for people on the go. There are so many that are really quick, which was my aim. I think it’s nice to whip up something yourself with fresh ingredients, even if it’s simple.
Sophie’s quick and easy recipe for lemon chili pasta
Sophie Kooks is divided month by month, which is unusual. Which is your favourite month or season to be in the kitchen?
I do love summer cooking I must say. I love summer vegetables and this year was my first year growing them myself in my little tiny garden. It was great having fresh peas and broccoli. When the weather is nicer and warmer you want to eat food that is fresh and light, which is enjoyable.
In Sophie Kooks, you advise both experienced and amateur cooks to have well-stocked cupboards to make it easier on themselves. What is your advice?
Build your cupboards up gradually with things like tinned tomatoes and tinned beans because I do think it’s really worthwhile for any new cook to have the essentials. It’s so easy to just have to pick up some fresh meat and vegetables and have the other bits and bobs already at home. I think it’s an important thing to build up your cupboard.
You quit your office job a few years ago to pursue a career in food. Since the success of Kooky Dough, how has your life changed?
It has completely changed. It has been a crazy experience. When we first started out in the farmer’s markets, if someone had said to me ‘In two years you’ll be exporting to farms, the United Arab Emirates, France and the UK,’ I wouldn’t have believed it. I just love what I do. I remember when I was in an office job and living for the weekend and the Friday feeling and I was almost wishing away the weeks. I remember hating that feeling and I’m glad that I don’t have that anymore. Every day is the same day and I enjoy what I do. I still get such a buzz out of any new contract we land and it’s brilliant.
Sophie’s debut cookbook is the perfect stocking filler this Christmas and will set you up for the year ahead!
What advice would you give to people who might be in the same position you were in, people who are dreaming about a career in the food industry?
It is a big risk to leave a permanent job to try and start up something you love but what I would say is if someone has a really good idea and one that they are passionate about then I really believe that Ireland is a great place for start-up businesses. There is so many supports for people such as grant assistance and the back to work allowance scheme. These people who are starting businesses are the ones who are going to grow our economy once again. I think it’s worth giving something a shot because it makes all the difference when your doing something you are happy with.
Halloween is coming up, Sophie. Are there any recipes in the October section of the book that will spook the neighbours?
In the October recipes, there are the Hazelnut Swirl Cookies. They are so easy, but for how easy they are they look really impressive. They have a beautiful swirl in the middle. It is a great recipe. You make a batch of cookie dough and roll it out before smearing it with Nutella. You then roll them up and slice them and place them in the oven for about ten minutes and they are so beautiful when they come out. A real treat for Halloween!
Sophie’s delicious Hazelnut Swirl Cookies are the perfect treat this bank holiday weekend
Sophie Kooks is available nationwide €22.99 and is also now available in bite-sized, seasonal chunks which can be downloaded from major eBook outlets for €1.99.
