The Last… With Ravinder Bhogal

The Last…

Time you danced?
In the kitchen with my husband to a Bollywood song. I wish I had trained in one of the classical Indian dance forms.

Thing you bought from an actual shop?
A perfume called Freudian Wood from Trunk on Chiltern Street – it’s one of my favourite shops in London and the buying there is brilliant. The owner Mats Klingberg is always so beautifully dressed.

Thing you brought online?
Some beautiful glassware from Abask. It’s my latest interior obsession.

Person you spoke to?
My sister on WhatsApp – she lives in Bangalore.

Podcast you listened to?
Table Manners – I was recently on it which was so much fun, but have been a long-time fan of Lennie and Jessie.

New brand you discovered?
Make-up by Lisa Eldridge. I love the eyeliners and the red lipstick – it’s called Ribbon and it’s a beautiful true red. I bought it at Liberty.

Film you watched at the cinema?
Barbie. I loved the outfits, sets and of course the Kens.

TV series you watched at home?
The Crown. I think Elizabeth Debicki is startling as Diana.

Restaurant you ate at?
The Dover in Mayfair – it’s fun, nostalgic, old fashioned glamour – such a good time. I can’t wait to return.

Takeaway you ordered?
Dumplings – I have a weakness for Xiaolongbao.

Book you read?
Watch us Dance by Leila Slimani – her writing really moves me.

Magazine you flicked through?
Harper’s Bazaar – I am a contributing editor there and have just been flicking through the brilliant Awards Issue.

Country you visited?
Menorca. I stayed at the beautiful Vestige Son Vell and fell in love with the Hauser and Wirth Gallery there.

Town you walked around?
Marylebone – where my restaurant Jikoni is. It’s such a beautiful village and right now I love how festive it is. I especially love a stroll down Chiltern Street or an expedition to La Fromagerie – the best cheese shop in the world.

Time you cried?
Last night. It’s hard not to be affected by the tragedy of what’s going on in the world.

Time you laughed until you cried?
At the weekend. I was trying to tickle
my husband and fell of the bed. I couldn’t stop laughing.

Thing you do at night before switching off the light?
Cuddle up to my husband because I am always cold and he’s like a radiator – he always
turns out the light.

Meal you cooked?
I just made khitchadee with millet and lentils and plenty of ghee for lunch.

Cocktail you drank?
The incredible Tomato Mizuwari created by our very clever bar manager Jade at Jikoni.

Thing you baked?
My strawberry falooda cake from my book Comfort and Joy for my family at Diwali.

Thing you burnt?
Honestly – I am now probably tempting fate – but I haven’t burnt anything that I can recollect easily.

Time you said sorry?
This morning as a condolence to a friend who just lost his mother.

Website you bookmarked?
The New Yorker. A piece by Zadie Smith called The Fall of my Teenage Self.

Song you added to a playlist?
Nitin Sawhney’s Definition of Happy sung by I am Roze. I have been a fan of his for years and this is a track from his new album.

Person you kissed?
My husband this morning before he left for work. Proper snogs and flirting keep me smiling.

Travelled by bus?
Recently just to go down Regent Street – my heels were too high to walk and I was late!

Radio station you listened to?
BBC Radio 4.

Time you swore?
About an hour ago because I accidentally dropped my laptop – its fine!

Biscuit you ate?
Fortnum and Mason’s Toffolossus – you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten one. Best biscuits ever.

Item of clothing you wore two days running?
A jumper I bought from La Ligne that is an old favourite.

Thing you smelt?
A wonderful friend just gifted some perfume from Santa Maria Novella which I love. I also burn frankincense at home that I bought from a trip to Oman earlier this year.

Time you said I love you?
To my husband this morning as he left for work. I tell him every day and I feel lucky and grateful. He’s the love of my life.