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Thai food sensation Restaurant founder, Pranee Laurillard tells us all we need to know about GIGGLING SQUID
P
ranee Laurillard and her husband sat in the basement of a tiny, tiny fisherman’s cottage (now their Brighton restaurant!) way back in 2002 and pulled together their first Thai tapas menu. The idea was to cook simple, rustic, fresh Thai food. They wanted a menu that people could eat like they do at home, and that’s exactly what they did... Tell us what brought you to start Giggling Squid as a restaurant business. I was keen to create the ultimate Thai experience. Alongside the traditional sharing food culture of Thailand, it was also important for me to focus on beautiful décor, somewhere where customers will enjoy the surroundings as well as the food. Can you tell us what inspired you when creating the dishes? My mum and the travels we made together in Thailand when I was growing up. Some
dishes are inspired by coastal towns and others from the vibrant night markets. We are always evolving and excited by new ingredients; I’m always learning, and I go back to Thailand every year to continue to be inspired. What dishes can be found on the menu that you wouldn’t find anywhere else? Our tapas sets are really unique and a great way of trying a bit of everything when you can’t decide! We also have a brand new menu launch coming soon, with some exciting dishes such as the Chubby Pork Cheek (slow cooked, sticky pork cheek which melts in your mouth) and our Ocean and Greenery Earth (Asian betel leave wrapped salmon with shallot, lime cubes, ginger and a chilli dressing). Where do you usually get your ingredients from? Do you import it directly from Thailand? We import fresh Thai herbs and vegetables directly from Thailand, however we do make use of the abundance of British produce, like meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, when in season.
What would be your top tips on running a successful restaurant chain? Great food offering, charming interior and an eye for detail. Giggling Squid is such a unique nickname for a restaurant, would you mind sharing the story behind it? It’s actually the nickname of one of our lovely three children! Is Giggling Squid just for adults? Not at all – we offer little tapas for little people, including Thai classics such as Pad Thai Noodles, Pork Dumplings and Spring Rolls; guaranteed to ensure smiles all round. What’s next for Giggling Squid? My goal has always been to make brilliant restaurants, and the rest will follow! ■
“WE ARE ALWAYS EVOLVING AND EXCITED BY NEW INGREDIENTS; I’M ALWAYS LEARNING AND I GO BACK TO THAILAND EVERY YEAR TO CONTINUE TO BE INSPIRED.”
Giggling Squid Salisbury, 32 Market Walk, Salisbury SP1 1TL 01722 341871 salisbury@gigglingsquid.com www.gigglingsquid.com 32 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk