In Conversation with Clara Strunk...

The Sette

Restaurants were (quite literally) writer and journalist Clara Strunck’s bread and butter when she was the Feast columnist for The Evening Standard’s ES Magazine, reviewing openings, interviewing chefs and seeking out new recipes. Now freelance, Clara writes for a host of magazines and newspapers, including The Sunday Times Style, Tatler, and Buro, penning everything from book reviews to celebrity interviews and pop-culture features. When this night owl isn’t up working until the early hours, her ideal evening involves a relaxed dinner party with plenty of friends – set, more often than not, to the tunes of Dire Straits. 

Game, sette, match... 

I’m a huge fan of charades: everyone knows the rules and it always ends up in chaotic hysterics. Monopoly is sure-fire disaster as it normally gets way too heated!


Heart sette on... 

I would love to have a big library, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a huge desk and a massive, squashy sofa for reading (and the occasional afternoon nap).


Sette in my ways... 

I’m a very impatient person and can’t stand waiting for anything, which I’m told can be very annoying – I’m trying to get better at letting things happen in their own time.


Sunrise or sunsette... 

Definitely sunsette. I like writing best between about 10pm and 1am – maybe that’s why I find it so hard to get anything done before midday! I’ve found the trick is to meet people for breakfast, so I’m forced to wake up early.


Ready, sette, go... 

Every writer must say this, but I’d really love to write a book one day. It’s very much still a pipe dream, but you never know…


Sette the record straight... 

I have a bright yellow car, which I love, as it brings a smile to my face every day. I also always forget where I’ve parked, so the standout colour comes in handy!


Clara Strunk

Sette teeth on edge... 

Pop-up adverts (why does my computer have a million of them?), conversation-hoggers and soggy chips all drive me crazy.


Sette an example...

Don’t wait hours to text back, don’t throw your chewing gum on the pavement, drink less coffee and more water, call your mum and moisturise. Simple.


Sette the scene... 

My favourite evening are big dinner parties with good, old friends I've known for ages. My friend Henry does them the best: plenty of candles, funny guests and the best cooking I've known outside a restaurant.


Jet-sette..

I’ve been going to Switzerland every year for over a decade with my family and I love it there – it’s the only place I can think of that’s as good in the summer as in the winter. Currently top of my travel to-do list is Norway, to see the Northern Lights.


DJ sette... I have very old-fashioned taste when it comes to music; you won’t find any Top 10 songs on my playlist. I would say you can’t go wrong with anything by The Rolling Stones, Dire Straits or Meatloaf (trust me on that last one!)

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