Q&A with Jaymz Pool

He stormed Dutch television with Born2Cook and cooked in legendary Amsterdam clubs such as Inez IPSC, 11 and Trouw. In the meantime, New Zealander Jaymz Pool has been head chef at formerly Korean, now modern Asian, restaurant Yokiyo for several years. In mid-June, the restaurant will open at a new, larger location in Amsterdam-Oost.

Which food trend should we put an immediate end to?

Eating only the fillets and hams of animals and throwing away perfectly good, but less familiar, cuts. If you eat an animal, eat everything. From head to tail.

Most memorable eating experience?

Not my very best, but everything was just right: Thailand, the beach, a flapping fish on the barbecue, a simple spicy sauce and a cold beer.

Favourite drink?

That varies depending on the company, the time of day and my mood. I love a well-made cocktail, but also a glass of wine. And whistea – a hit in Korea – which we have on the menu. Iced tea with whiskey.

That perfect balance of sweet-sour-salty-umami-hot

Indispensable gadget for the kitchen?

The mandoline. Because we work a lot with preserved vegetables and pickles, that little appliance never stops working for us.

What would you never eat again?

I want to try everything once. But my 10-year-old son and I have made a deal: no more McDonald’s ever again.

Which country is your favourite when it comes to food?

I’m a bit of an everything kind of guy. I love Indian curry and Italian risotto. But I’m addicted to hot peppers and have a thing for Asian cuisine. With that perfect balance of sweet-sour-salty-umami-hot.

What is the best product in the supermarket?

Toilet paper. I can buy everything else somewhere else too.

I was fatally struck by one of its spines…

What is still on your food-related wish list?

I recently had a strange dream: I was filleting a fugu, you know, that poisonous fish that will kill you if it isn’t cleaned properly. I was fatally struck by one of its spines… Yet now I think: I have to eat fugu at least once. Crazy, right?

Which cookbook should everyone have on their shelf?

I have hundreds of cookbooks. But there is one I regularly take out: On food and cooking by Harold McGee. For anyone who wants to learn more about the cooking process itself.

What do you like to make at home when you want to eat quickly and well?

My son likes stamppot and nasi. So one of the two.

Which dish makes you lose all self-control?

A beautifully marbled ribeye from the barbecue with salt, pepper, olive oil and rocket. Or actually: all meat from the barbecue.

Yokiyo
Insulindeweg 1 Amsterdam
www.yokiyo.nl

Text: Marjan Ippel
Images: Debby von Rijnbeek