Loves of My Life: Xanthe Ross

The best interviews are often the most personal. In Loves of My Life, we get to know the person behind their craft, asking them the important questions we're desperate to know—the restaurants and date-night spots, what's in their Saved folder on Instagram, the piece of jewellery they're most attached to and what's lurking at the bottom of their handbag. In short, these are the true loves of their life.

Chef, creator and supper club host Xanthe Ross grew up in North Wales and is now based in London. She brings the knowledge and inspiration of the countryside to the city in her work. Xanthe works with broad range of fashion and lifestyls brands, including Uniqlo, JCrew, San Pellegrino and Mutti Pomodoro, and has also cooked at several events for the likes of Sézane, Liberty and GANNI. With a deep passion for travel, fashion, and food, Xanthe seamlessly blends these influences to produce unique and captivating content.

What’s your #1 restaurant to visit in the whole world? And what would you order?

Chez Panisse in California which is really one of the most impactful restaurants for sustainability in food over the last fifty years.

What dish do you make when you want to impress?

I like making homemade pizza because I love playing with dough, and I feel like it always impresses people.

What’s your go-to dish for a last-minute dinner?

Probably a tomato pasta, again it’s so simple but I think you can really elevate the flavour in it by cooking it slowly and carefully and it ends up being impressive.

What’s your takeaway of choice?

Ramen, always. I love Kanada-Ya.

What are three things you always have in your fridge/freezer/store cupboard?

Fridge: parmesan, freezer: peas, store cupboard: a jar of beans

What’s your desert island menu?

It always changes, but right now it’s this—pasta alla Norma to start, which is a Sicilian pasta dish made with tomato and aubergine. Then, steak, chips and salad. For pudding, chocolate mousse or a good tiramisu.

Is there anything in your home that you’re particularly sentimental about?

So much stuff! I’m a very sentimental person. I’ve kept all the menus for every supper club I’ve done, which is really lovely to look at, as it reminds how far I’ve come since the first.

What would we always find lurking in the bottom of your handbag?

Lip balm and hand cream, always.

Who is the person/who are the people who fill up your proverbial cup?

I am lucky to have incredible friends, family and a husband who all fill my cup in different ways.

If you could only holiday in one place for the rest of your life, where would it be?

The French countryside!

If someone said “that’s such a Xanthe” item/trend/look—what do you think they’d be referencing?

Great question. I guess I’m always drawn to playing with pastel colours so probably would include some of those, and then dungarees and a slick back bun.

Which piece of art makes you feel all the feels? And can you remember the first time you saw it?

The first piece of art that I bought for myself was a photograph of a horse from my friend’s incredible website, Wondering People.

Do you have an item of jewellery that holds a lot of meaning?

My engagement ring, not only because it’s pretty, but my husband took so much care in picking it and getting it made.

In your spare time, what do you love to do?

I love reading every day as much as I can, and also love walking my dog first thing, and doing yoga when I can.

Do you have a secret date-night spot?

Eat Tokyo is great for a casual date night and one we always go back to.

Which item of clothing would you never ever part with? And why?

I try to collect tourist t-shirts from everywhere I go, so I’d never part with those because they’re sentimental.

What’s your most-played on Spotify?

Billie Eilish!

Fave IG account to follow?

Lannan Bakery.

Fave TT account to follow?

Ballerina Farm.

If we were to look in your saved folder on IG now, what would we find?

Mainly lots of beautiful cakes.

Favourite city for inspiration?

Copenhagen, for the food, people, style and design.

Favourite city for fun?

Rome!

Favourite item to pack when you go on holiday?

I get excited by which books I’ll pack.

You’re making a playlist of your life, which 3 artists will feature most?

Dido, Beyonce, Billie Eilish!

What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?

I recently bought the Asics x Storymfg trainers which I’m currently treasuring.

What’s the beauty product you can’t live without?

Hand cream, I love the L’Occitane one.

What’s your go-to comfort food?

My comfort food is definitely pasta, as you may have guessed already!

What are your favourite 3 movies of all time?

Mamma Mia; Music & Lyrics; Anora.

All-time favourite lipstick or lip-gloss?

Either Summer Fridays, or Homoplasmine which you can get in French pharmacies.

When you were a teenager, what, if anything, was on your wall?

Avril Lavigne, I believe!

Share a piece of advice that someone you love gave you that always stuck.

For every problem, there’s a solution.

What’s your favourite scent?

Ffern perfumes do amazing seasonal scents. I also love the dark Byredo perfumes which I believe are oil based.

Do you collect anything, if so, what?

I collect t-shirts as I said earlier, from the countries that I’m lucky enough to visit and tourist magnets.

What’s your latest obsession?

I’m really into smells in my home at the moment, whether that’s burning incense first thing, good candles everywhere, or an oil diffuser at night.

What brand do you love the most?

Hard question—because there are so many incredibly brands doing so many incredible things! I think Flamingo Estate is one of the coolest brands at the moment in many ways, doing incredible things and inspiring many others.

What’re your 3 favourite brands / You can only wear 3 brands for the rest of your life, what are they?

Skall Studio, Cordera, DÔEN.

Coffee, tea, wine, cocktail—what’s your ultimate poison?

Coffee and wine, always.

Tell us one thing you love to do that’s bad for you.

Probably drinking coffee and wine!

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

Sitting in the bath for as long as I can.

Who is your professional hero?

Alice Walters, chef and owner of Chez Panisse.

Who is your personal hero?

For sure my mum, she’s incredible. Never stops and never complains.

Who is/who are the love/s of your life?

Hugo my husband, my best friends Jimmy and Tily, and my family.

What is the love of your life?

Cooking!

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