When my first Thai Restaurant opened in 2002, I never dreamt it would go on to become the first of many Giggling Squid. Set in a cosy cottage in Brighton, it was perfect for recreating Thai get-togethers where friends and family linger over an array of dishes but it simply couldn’t fit in the long, shared tables I’d pictured. In Thailand, the dining experience is as varied as the food itself and I remained determined to bring its casual, fast eating experience to the UK.

18 years on, I found a site in Chichester, West Sussex, that was perfect for my Thai Kitchen concept – the place you head to for your favourites, where the ingredients are fresh and cooked with high flame at speed to capture the flavour, to be enjoyed on my longed-for communal tables.