May 17, 2000 - Smash Hits - Masterchef!
With Westlife's very own whiz in the kitchen - Kian Egan...
You've got someone coming around for a hot dinner date. What woudl you cook them?
I'd make spaghetti bolognaise. I don't cook it the normal way, but if people tried mine, they'd all make it that way. (Bacon is Kian's 'secret' ingredient - Cookery Ed)
Do you eat straight away, or is there time for a chat?
I'd make sure I had dinner ready for when she arrives. And I'd still have the apron on - a polka dot one - when she comes in, so she'd know I'd been slaving in the kitchen!
What would you drink?
I'd have red wine and white wine ready, it would be her choice.
Anything else?
I'd have garlic bread, too.
Erm, is that wise?
Well I always have chewing gum handy in care there's a breath problem, but I wouldn't keep it on the table. That wouldn't be subtle!
What about afters?
For dessert, Romantica ice cream is beautiful.
Have you had any cooking disasters?
(Smiles) It's always gone smoothly. I've always been a good cook.
Always?
I always used to cook my own tea, like spaghetti or chicken sandwiches, so I kinda learnt to cook from my mum. And I cooked for the whole family as well, so I was good as home economics at school!
When was the first time you cooked for a girl?
It was spaghetti bolognaise when I was 16. My girlfriend and I came home from school and I cooked for her. It was beautiful.
Do you cook while you're going round the world?
We don't really get a chance. Even when I come home, I don't bother cooking for myself anymore. Mum has the food in front of me before I;ve got through the door! It's one of the things you miss most being abroad - your mum's cooking.
What are the other 'Lifers like at cooking?
Bryan does nothing for himself. He can't even heat up beans without burning them. Shane's all right at bacon and chips and stuff like that. He can cook a bit.
Did you ever go to the cafe his parents run in Sligo?
We used to go there all the time when we were starting up the band, for a fry-up before rehearsals. My sister used to work there for years ago, believe it or not.
Would you ever like to open your own restaurant?
Maybe not a restaurant, but II'd like to open a club or a really good pub in Sligo.
You couold open a chain...
Yeah, I'd have one in LA, Miami, wherever it's hot... (chuckles)
Where in the world do you like to eat?
Italy has the most beautiful food. The Italians knowhow to cook and all they ever do is eat! As soon as you arrive at the airport, they're saying, "When are we going for dinner?" whatever time of day it is. All the stuff they do there, the pasta, the sauces (licking his lips), is brilliant. They're very serious about their food - Bryan bought some pasta over there and put in a sandwich and (shaking his head) the Italians were disgusted with him. America's good too, I had an amazing T-bone steak in New York recently.
Where don't you like to eat?
I don't like Japanese, Chinese or Indian. I don't like spicy foods. I'm a man of simple tastes. The last time we ate in a Japanese restaurant, I ordered a steak.
Do you like McDonald's?
Everybody in the band kind of stays away from that. We only eat it if there's no other option.
But would you ever go veggie?
No way!
What if Cameron Diaz said she'd marry you only if you went veggie?
If Cameron Diaz loved me enough (laughing), she'd have to respect what I eat. So not even for Cameron Diaz. I like my steaks too much!
Kian's Kaff
Menu
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Starters
Special K Flying Without Buffalo Wings
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Main Courses
Steak ("Rare it again, please")
Egan chips
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Dessert
Raspberry Fool (Again)
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All served on our roof terreace with seasonings, in the sun