We take food and drink seriously here at Service95. When we’re not looking for new openings and under-the-radar spots to add to our restaurant guides or meeting chefs to learn about the cuisines that have shaped their cooking and identities, we’re in the kitchen ourselves, planning our next meal. What that calls for are reliable store-cupboard staples that inject flavour and turn any dish into something worth eating – even if you’re cooking for one.
These are the food and drink items we keep in constant stock in our homes: oils, sauces, hot drinks, wines and a touch of spice, from some of our favourite independent brands around the world.
The Matcha For Your Mornings
Mornings in the Service95 office often start with a matcha. This Houjicha from Rocky’s is ceremonial grade blend of tea from fifth-generation tea producer Kiyoharu Tsuji. Best enjoyed mixed with hot water or in a latte. $36, Rocky’s
The Infused Oil
Yiayia And Friends is our go-to for Greek-owned, Greek-produced oils. There are many flavours to choose from – truffle, chilli, basil – but the scent of this sharp, lemon-infused extra virgin olive oil is enough to transport you to the Greek isles. €35, Yiayia And Friends at Selfridges
The Chili Crisp To Liven Up Any Dish
Sichuan chili crisp works overtime in our kitchens, on rice dishes, in marinades, swirled into sauces – anywhere that could use a little heat. Fly By Jing’s crisp always delivers: it’s hot-but-not-too-hot and made in Chengdu, Sichuan. Tip: a little goes a long way. USD $30 for two; Fly By Jing
The Ready-Made Shakshouka
There is rarely a convenient moment to make shakshouka from scratch. Thankfully, Harissa brand Lamiri has just launched this mix, made with 100% natural ingredients straight from Tunisia. All you have to do is warm it in a pan and crack a few eggs in. £4.99, Lamiri
The Condiment That Will Transform Your Cooking
If you don’t have shatta in your cupboards, now is the time. This condiment, made using naturally fermented chillis, originated in Palestine. Our go-to deli in London, Ottolenghi, makes its take on shatta with green chillis and jalapeños – great swirled into dips or spread onto sandwiches. £6, Ottolenghi at Burford Garden Co.
The Syrup We Use To Sweeten Everything
When it comes to making breakfasts, desserts or matcha a little sweeter, we swap out sugar for the complex flavour of maple syrup. Wabanaki is the 100% Indigenous women-owned Canadian brand continuing the tradition of maple sugaring, which originates with the First Nations Peoples. Our favourite: the syrup aged in bourbon barrels for a deep, rich flavour. CAD $14.95
The Pickles You’ll Add To Everything
Not everyone has time to make their own pickles. Fortunately, Scotland’s Goat Rodeo Goods can do that for you. Its ‘Disco’ pickles are made by hand in small batches, infused with pink peppercorns and dill for a sweet-sour hit to liven up everything from toasties to salads. £10, Goat Rodeo Goods
The (Deliciously) Strong Coffee
This Bam Bam blend from Swedish roasters Lykke is guaranteed to perk you up. It’s a mix of beans from Brazil, Peru and western Uganda, for a smooth sip with heady notes of caramel and berries. Perfect for an espresso. SEK 249
The Good Olive Oil
Invest in an organic extra virgin olive oil and you will put it to good use. This small-batch, organic oil comes from a family-run business in Andalucía. Perfect for base of dressings, for freshly cut bread to be dunked in, even drizzled over vanilla ice cream (a trick we borrowed from Dua). £23, Citizens of Soil
The Sustainably Made Pasta
The north of England isn’t exactly synonymous with artisan pasta. But up in Cumbria, the Northern Pasta Co. creates its picture-perfect shapes using traditional Italian techniques from a signature blend of British spelt, grown using regenerative farming practices. £4.95, Northern Pasta Co.
The Low (And No) Alcohol Wine
Wednesday’s Domaine’s new 6.5% range offers all the taste of a classic red or white wine, with half the amount of alcohol. Their 0% fizz is also so good, you won’t notice it’s alcohol-free. £18.99, Wednesday’s Domaine
The Frying Essential
Cooking over a high heat calls for one thing: ghee. The clarified butter, which originated in India, has a higher smoking point than oil, meaning less burning or browning. It’s also lactose and casein-free and is rich in vitamins A, E, K. There’s always a jar of this in our pantry. USD $14.99, Pure Indian Foods
The Hot Sauce That Blends Sweet With Spice
Choosing a favourite hot sauce is near-impossible (for us, anyway). But this habanero and grilled pineapple one from El Yucateco is spicy in a good way, with a sweet finish that pairs beautifully with meat, fish, even your morning eggs. USD $6.95 El Yucateco at Mex Grocer
The Butter That Will Ruin All Other Butters
While we might dabble in alternative milks, we’re yet to find a replacement that matches the joy of organic, farm-fresh butter. Especially The Estate Dairy’s, which is made in Cheshire in the north of England. Once you’ve tried this, you’ll be hard-pushed to go back to your usual spreadable. £3.80, The Estate Dairy at Panzer’s
The Natural Wine To Serve With Dinner
Doom Juice’s Weiss wine is a juicy, fresh crowd-pleaser. It’s the kind of pour that’s crisp enough for those not used to unfiltered blends, with enough ‘funk’ to please long-time natural wine lovers. AUD $29, Doom Juice
