Firsts & Lasts with... The Sister Table

It is said that the two most important moments in a restaurant are the moment you walk in the door – the hello – and the moment you leave, the last bite you take, the last person you speak to – the end/goodbye. But so much of our life is shaped by first and lasts, so here we profile amazing women of the industry, talking about some of their first and last moments...

The Sister Table is a food and lifestyle brand founded by sisters Benjamina and Bonita. Benjamina was a quarter finalist on Great British Bake Off 2016 and is currently a food stylist, recipe developer and ambassador for the social enterprise Luminary Bakery. Her sister Bonita is a freelance graphic designer. 

Together they share a mutual love of enjoying food in good company with purposeful conversation. Both believe that a shared dining experience encourages inclusion and a real sense of belonging. The Sister Table was born in the hopes that women would have a space to regularly meet, eat and share.

Benjamina

First kiss: Now that would be telling…

First cocktail ordered on a night out: Caipirinha.

First job in hospitality: Starbucks Barista on campus at University. 

First thing you do to unwind after work: Head to my salsa class or go for a run.

First thing you do when you plan a holiday: Find all the wonderful restaurants and bakeries that we want to eat in. 

Last thing you bought at an off license: A bag of Quavers and some gum.

Last three favourite places you ate in:

1. The Sunday roast at Blacklock in Shoreditch is legendary.

2. Grod in Copenhagen - best bowl of porridge I’ve ever had.

3. Kyseri does one of my favourite puddings - a baked mahlep custard with cherries, almond crumble and caramelised white chocolate.

Last song you listened to: Don’t You Wait by Solange. 

Last podcast you listened to and what did you take away from it: The Read podcast; I learnt that the chicken sandwiches at Popeyes are far superior than that of d Chick-fil-a.

Last glass of wine you really enjoyed & where: Not really big wine drinkers!

Last time you had a proper day off and what did you do with it: Had a good spring clean and finally got round to returning those ASOS orders. 

Last time you exercised (body or mind): Went for a run with Fly Girl Collective over the weekend.

Last review you read and agreed with: Not specifically a review but loving the ‘Best-Value Restaurants’ guide by Jonathan Nunn in Eater. It really highlights the incredible food coming out of London’s vibrant immigrant communities.

Bonita

First cocktail ordered on a night out: I don’t drink.

First food poisoning: Never!

First job in hospitality: Barista at a local cafe.

First thing you do to unwind after work: Cook and eat dinner.

First thing you do in the middle of a hellish service/day at work to stay level headed: Go for a walk.

First thing you do when you wake up: Check my phone which is terrible.

First thing you do when you plan a holiday: Find the best places to eat.

Last thing you bought at an off license: A Twix bar.

Last favourite places you ate in:

1. Vapianos - basic but great

2. Plum Valley, Chinatown - they do great dim sum

Last song you listened to: Good morning love by Common.

Last time you had a proper day off and what did you do with it: Spent a few days in Copenhagen exploring and eating lovely food.

Last time you exercised (body or mind): Pilates this week.