THE BIG SHOP: RAHEL STEPHANIE

Rahel Stephanie set up a supper club to share her love of the food and culture from her birthplace, Indonesia. Five years on, spots sell out in under a minute, and she’s released Pedas, “a fiery cooking zine”.

I STARTED SPOONS BECAUSE…

“I wanted to share delicious foods and little-known recipes from my country with friends. I strive to put authentic Indonesian flavours firmly and accurately on the western map. My mission extends far beyond creating a tasty menu. To me, cooking Indonesian dishes serves as a way of reclaiming, decolonising and celebrating the foods of my heritage.”

MY EARLIEST FOOD MEMORY...

“From the age of four, I’ve obsessed over Indomie instant noodles. They were a [childhood] weekend treat, and I’d have them for breakfast while watching TV, eating as slowly as I could to savour every last second.”

MY FOOD SHOP STRATEGY...

“I’m hyper-organised, so I almost always come bearing a list. However, one of my favourite pastimes is dissociating while aimlessly browsing a big store with no intention in mind.”

MY FAVOURITE DEPARTMENT AT SELFRIDGES LONDON...

“The fragrance hall. I’m obsessed with fragrances. I love familiar scents and those that incite memories and associations to special people – be it my mother, friends or previous romantic interests.”

FAVOURITE PERSON TO COOK FOR...

“My sister, Becky. Sharing food is my love language, and there’s no one I’d rather do that for than my favourite person in the world.”