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A minute with…Roddy Damalis, Living

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• Inspiration and information at TEDxNicosia

Ta Piatakia's Roddy Damalis

Owner and chef of Ta Piatakia restaurant, Limassol

Where do you live?

On the beachfront in Limassol with my two cats Mamushi and Pishi. They are the most marvellous creatures that infuse my home with incredible serenity and calm

Best childhood memory?

The second it ended and I could forget all about it. However I do believe it’s never too late to have a happy childhood, which I am at doing at the moment.

Most frequented restaurant and absolute favourite dish? 

It’s a privilege to have someone else cook for me whether it’s a souvlaki in pitta at 4am or a plate of food which looks like a piece of art. I don’t have a favourite dish; I just love food.

What food would you really turn your nose up to?

I dislike camel spleen, sheep’s eyes, pig’s snout and dehydrated squirrel. I’m pretty cool with all the rest.

What did you have for breakfast? 

A delicious espresso from the machine which my best friends gave me and brings a smile to my face every morning.

Would you class yourself as a day or night person? What’s your idea of the perfect night/day out? 

Definitely a night person. However being on holiday where day turns into night and you lose track of time and which day of the week it is, that’s my ideal.

Best book ever read… 

I love reading! I enjoy diverse authors and topics. The little book that’s always next to my bed is The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. It is filled with wisdom related to everyday life.

Favourite film of all time?

As with food I love films which transport and feed you in any way and I couldn’t possibly single out one.

Favourite holiday destination?

I spent one month in Thailand recently and being in a place where everything looks, sounds, smells, tastes and feels different from my everyday reality was a true inspiration.

What music are you listening to in the car at the moment? 

Various Masses, Orthodox, Gregorian, Tibetan chants etc… and to balance that all out, amazing funky stuff which my friend Dino compiles for me.

What is always in your fridge?

Chillies! I eat them with everything… and of course bottles of bubbly!

Dream house: rural retreat or urban dwelling?

One of each (I’m a Gemini so I need two of everything). An urban apartment in the hub of things as I have now and my dream is to have a rural retreat, which would be a sanctuary where I could tap into nature. Both would be minimal in design and approach.

If you could pick anyone at all (alive or dead) to go out for the evening with who would it be?

My late father as I was a child when he passed away and I would love to have a long chat with him as an adult.

If the world is ending in 24 hours what would you do?

I would put together the most over the top, extravagant and sumptuous banquet for all my favourite people - what a way to go.

What is your greatest fear? 

That I don’t get the opportunity to have my banquet.