My last, very impressive guest of the season is the utterly fabulous Amira Hashish, journalist, executive editor, creative director, broadcaster, content and marketing strategist, and antique sourcer extraordinaire.
Amira spent 12 years as executive editor at The Evening Standard, overseeing digital content, creative direction, and partnerships across lifestyle travel, design, fashion, food and drink, and more.
She even opened The Standard's first New York office whilst launching its popular culture platform, Insider. Post-pandemic, Amira pivoted her career, founding Rapport, a content and creative agency that helps brands tell their stories in engaging ways through events, podcasts and talks in both the UK and the US.
She also publishes Neighbourhood Edits, a gorgeous printed magazine, blending hyper-local area guides, global travel inspiration and coffee table-worthy designs.
Amira hosts events for Soho House and The Ned, she writes regular columns for The Independent and Waitrose Weekend, and has recently launched Patina, the antique sourcing arm of Rapport, inspired by the renovation of her own stunning London home.
Amira's first debut into the journalism world began at an impressively young age. In our conversation, we dive into how she became a published journalist at just 15, her insider tips for antique sourcing, her favourite spots around Notting Hill, and the remarkable story of how she came into the possession of a hand-painted basin once owned by the former king of Malaysia.
Plus, we discuss my two very nearly failed attempts at recreating my friend Speculous Biscuits.
Having Amira on the podcast has been an absolute joy. Her energy and passion for life are truly infectious.
As this is the last episode of the season, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for tuning in each week and supporting Spilling Tea.
Your listens, subscriptions, ratings and reviews have made all the difference. If you've been enjoying the season, please consider leaving a review or sharing the podcast with a friend. It's your support that helps me bring spilling tea back for a second season, so every bit counts!
Without further ado…here’s Amira, enjoy the show!
This episode’s menu:
Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
A warming, velvety soup with roasted butternut squash, spiced with cinnamon, and topped with hazelnuts, double cream, and fried sage. It’s comforting, simple to make, and has that lovely balance of earthy and festive flavours.
Baked Camembert with Garlic, Rosemary, and White Wine, plus Homemade Cranberry Sauce
A gooey, decadent baked Camembert (I actually Mont d’Or on the day of the podcast recording, but Camembert works just fine if you can’t get your hands on Mont D’Or) with garlic, rosemary, and white wine. Served alongside a vibrant homemade cranberry sauce with honey, sugar, and lemon juice – it’s truly a heavenly combination!
Radicchio di Treviso, Apple, Fennel, and Dill Salad
A fresh, vibrant salad that brings together slightly bitter radicchio with sweet apple, crisp fennel, and the distinctive touch of dill. A much-needed zingy side to cut through the richness of the cheese!
Speculaasbrokken
There is a bit of a backstory to these cookies. The recipe comes from my dear friend Geertje, who is Dutch and would always bake me a batch of these delicious traditional cookies around this time of the year. I first tried to make her recipe years ago, and it worked out beautifully. Flash forward three years, and I was trying to make these cookies for my podcast guest Amira, but the baking gods seemed to be uncooperative that day. The first batch looked nothing like my friend’s cookies (rather like a weird scone), and the second batch, although better, puffed up like a muffin. I seemed to remember the cookies to have a firmer, crunchier bite to them, but upon speaking to Geertje again and comparing notes, I have come to realise it was perhaps my memory that misled me, and she assured me that they should be a little on the soft side. Anyhow, everyone I shared them with (Amira included) seems to have really enjoyed them, and so I thought I’d share her recipe and you can try it for yourself!
Keep scrolling till the bottom of the article to find the link to the recipes!
The tea pairing
This menu has been designed to compliment the spicy notes of Avantcha’s Rooibois Masala Chai
Follow Amira on:
Instagram @thedesigneditor
We mention in the podcast…
Amira’s most treasured antique possession is this hand-painted ceramic sink she sourced on Facebook Marketplace, which she has since discovered used to belong to the former king of Malaysia (true story!)
Amira’s top spots in Notting Hill – her favourite London neighbourhood:
The Tin Shed on All Saints Road: www.thetinshed.uk
The Pelican: thepelicanw11.com
Conscience Kitchen: www.consciencekitchen.com
Golborne Deli: golbornefinewinedeli.com
The Store on Golborne Road: thestore-london.com
Osteria Basilico and Osteria Napoletana on Kensington Park Road: www.osteriabasilico.co.uk and www.osterianapoletana.co.uk
North Norfolk holiday cottage:
UK salvage and antiques recommendations:
www.glastonburyreclamation.co.uk
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