Portrait
Bathroom Talk with creative chef Emily Dobbs
Emily Dobbs started in fine art, but these days her canvas is the kitchen, and her paints are spices. From cooking on a Wyoming ranch to London’s trendiest restaurants, she’s now best known for Weligama, her Sri Lankan-inspired pop-up, her cookbook, and The Spice Box, a playful guide to exploring spices. Colourful, bold, and full of joy, Emily’s food and her approach to wellness are all about creativity, connection, and a little bit of magic.
"My real breakthrough came with Weligama, the Sri Lankan-inspired street-food pop-up I founded. It was deeply personal, drawing on childhood travel, family recipes, and a longing to bring that vibrant, fresh Sri Lankan spirit into London. From there, I wrote my first cookbook – Weligama Recipes from Sri Lanka – and more recently released The Spice Box – a set of illustrated cards to help people explore spices more deeply."
How would you describe your food philosophy?
“My food philosophy is rooted in generosity, colour, seasonality, and spice. I lean into the vibrancy of Sri Lankan flavours, layered spice, citrus and coconut, but I always try to balance them with what’s in season in the UK. I don’t believe in over-complication: I love purity of ingredients, but I also embrace boldness, creativity, and play. For me, cooking is a form of art, and food should evoke emotion, memory, and joy.”
How has your definition of ‘eating well’ evolved since the beginning of your career?
“It has changed so so much in the last 10 years. When I first started, ‘eating well’ was a lot of hype around oat milk and vegan eating. I think now it's about eating less processed [food], less seed oils, and [increased] awareness of toxins in the kitchen, from plastic wrap to cleaning products.”
What does wellness mean to you, both in and out of the kitchen?
“Wellness, to me, is about connection and balance to our bodies, to nature, and to the food we eat. To rest and recover. The kitchen can be a very stressful place, and I like to practice being zen when I’m surrounded by chaos.”
Do you have any rituals or activities to reset or reconnect when life gets busy?
“Yes – a few things really help me stay grounded.
Cooking something nice and time-consuming for myself, lighting a scented candle, reading cookbooks, and walking outside in nature with my cat.”
Is there a dish or ritual that instantly makes you feel grounded this time of year?
“I love to make warming seasonal soups that encourage me to slow down.”
What’s your advice for people who want to cook more mindfully?
“Focus on intention over perfection. Choose one thing – a spice, a technique, a vegetable – and really learn it. Smell your spices, taste as you go, and let your cooking evolve. Don’t stress about creating Instagram-worthy plates. Mindful cooking is about the process, not the product.”
Follow Emily's cooking adventures on her Instagram account @emilycdobbs and on her website: www.emilydobbs.com
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