Dreamy summers in Italy as a child instilled a love of Italian food that runs through Dan Sweet’s inventive menus at Cuubo. At home it’s a different story… 

Tell us about your cooking?

For me, it’s seasonally based. We look at what’s in season and go from there. My cooking is quite classical and influenced in part by my family in Italy. As a kid, I spent the six-week summer holidays in Benevento near Campania with my Italian family. They have a lot of land with sheep, goats and a vineyard. The produce is incredible and everywhere you walk you can just pick ingredients. It surrounds you. Also, you’ve got to make sure what you’re offering is good. People don’t have much spare income. You’ve got to kind of bend and adjust to the market and situation. It won’t work otherwise. At Cuubo, Wednesdays and Thursdays are quiet so we’re introducing a couple of offers for those days. 

How did you become a chef?

My other half had a hair salon and I was a hairdresser for seven years. I got into cooking quite late at age 26 and learned everything at Simpsons. I’d had no formal college training so when I had a trial at Simpsons, they must have seen something in me. 

What do you eat at home?

I’m terrible at home! Fags and coffee! My oven has blown up, so I have no oven or hob. That aside, after 12 hours cooking, I honestly can’t be arsed. We have the odd Caribbean takeaway which feels a bit healthy. 

Who is the best chef in the world and why?

The best chef in the world is Jordi Roca – he’s a pastry chef at El Celler de Can Roca (in Girona, Spain) and is amazing. In Birmingham it has to be Luke Tipping. He trained me and was the best person to learn under unless I passed him a burnt garnish. Let’s just say I developed a thick skin… 

Share a cooking tip?

Don’t be afraid of food – it’s mostly common sense. And season your water. Taste the water you’re about to cook your food in. Simple. 

What was your favourite food as a kid?

Italian all the way. Bread, olive oil, parmesan and salami. I think I’ve been spoilt with food from a young age so I’m a bit of a nightmare. 

Food heaven and food hell?

Food heaven would be simple spaghetti, pomodoro sauce and parmesan. I love proper traditional Italian food, simple ingredients done really well. I suppose food hell is supermarket food. We’ve been brainwashed into thinking £9 for a ready meal at M&S and Waitrose is acceptable. I guess it’s about food that’s not cooked properly. Just give it a bit of love. 

What’s the most unusual thing you have eaten?

Cow’s head. In Italy, my 80-year-old uncle came home with a cow’s head for my nan to cook. She fried it up whole and it was just weird. It’s the only thing my nan has cooked that I haven’t enjoyed. She used to cook pig’s head slowly for 20 hours which was amazing, but fried cow’s head? No… 

If you weren’t a chef what will you be?

I don’t know what else I could do. Chief taster maybe?