As a young mum and entrepreneur running her own restaurant whilst also planning her wedding (and with a bun in the oven too!), Sophie Villiers has a lot on her plate. Grandaughter of the man who founded the legendary Gordon’s Wine Bar, and working closely together with her father, Sophie comes from generations of foodies and it’s safe to say that for them food is definitely a family affair.

As the granddaughter of the legendary Luis and Wendy Gordon of Gordon’s Wine Bar, you come from a family with a history of food, hospitality and entertaining. Now you’re heading up Villiers restaurant together with your father, Tom, whilst your uncle Simon continues to run Gordon’s wine bar. I think it’s safe to say food is kind of a big deal in your family! Where and how did it all start, and what inspired you to work together with your family and start a business together?

Food has always been a big part of our family life – from eating supper around the table in the evenings to home made cakes on a Sunday afternoon, to big family lunches and parties.

The same day I left my job as a literary agent, I received a text message asking if I wanted to meet my father and sister, Rose, at the local pub. Later that night the idea for Villiers was born. For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to do this

What’s it like working closely together with family?

It’s wonderful because the support you can give each other is unlike any other, and I get to see everyone so much more than if we didn’t work together. As we share a lot of the same opinions and nobody knows you better than your family there’s no pussy-footing around problems!

At the same time it’s also tricky as there is no boundary between work and home. Work is all we talk about – all the time.

You come from a big family of five children, and your father came from a big family too, with five brothers. What was it like growing up with such a big family?

Brilliant. There is always such a great atmosphere – you don’t need anyone else for a party. When we all get together with husbands, partners, babies and dogs there is more than a houseful – Christmas and Easter are awesome. Add the rest of the Gordon family into the mix- and it’s a riot. My whole childhood is filled with happy memories of parties, holidays and adventures together.

Do you have any favourite memories?

I was in Cornwall recently and it reminded me how my grandmother, Wendy (who owns Gordon’s), used to organise a big trip to Cornwall for the whole Gordon Family every January. They were always so much fun but really cold and really wet. One year we made a fire on the beach and my father, Tom, and my uncle, Simon (who runs Gordon’s), took over the head chef duties making us a winter BBQ of mackerel and sausages – everyone got food poisoning that year.

You studied Fine Art, became a Children’s Book Agent at Darley Anderson, and are now heading up Villiers where you’re working closely with your father, a trained artist. You’re also a mum, pregnant with your second, and planning a wedding, and all by the age of 28. What has been your greatest achievement so far?

I love my family, they are incredible and I am so lucky to have them: my fiancé, Ross, and our beautiful daughter, Bluebell. But they aren’t my achievement – I can’t claim that one.

To actually get Villiers open was so much more difficult than I ever would have imagined. The first three months were beyond exhausting. It is a constant and exciting challenge but the challenge certainly isn’t over.

So in answer to your question, I guess I don’t feel that I have a greatest achievement, I just feel very lucky to be where I am and experienced what I have so far.

You’re a wife, a mum, a cook and a businesswoman. Can you tell our readers what an average day is like from start to finish?

As a family we wake up early, take our dog for a walk on the common and have breakfast all together. I drop Bluebell off at nursery and head to Villiers.

Throughout the day I generally go between the restaurant and the kitchen. Despite a never ending to-do list there tend to be things popping up throughout the day that distract me.

Ross and I take it in turns to work late – so either I head home to give Bluebell supper, a bath and read stories or I stay on into the evening working late and spend some time on the restaurant floor chatting with customers.

What do you do to relax?

I have a very supportive future husband who is a really hands on father. I also have a great nanny. So when I’m at work I don’t feel distracted or anxious.

To relax, I cook and read cookery books – usually in the bath. I love taking Buddy (our dog) for walks – it gives me an excuse to explore the parks in London. And, as a bit of a treat, I love going to coffee shops.

Your daughter Bluebell must be getting used to all your fabulous cooking and recipe testing, has she become a fussy eater?

Not really. I think all little children go through fussy periods. If she’s having a fussy day I don’t worry. She is really into cooking – always wanting to be involved in what I’m cooking or making- she’s my little helper and chief taster. In almost every shot I have on my blog there’s another one taken 5 seconds later with a small hand getting involved. She has also started pointing out recipes and pictures in magazines and cookery books of things she wants us to make. So for me, it’s great fun.

The menu at Villiers reflects your very easy-going cooking style, with dishes including crispy polenta chips with gorgonzola dolce, Smoked mackerel with horseradish cream or Slow roast pork belly with fennel, roasted apples and caramelised shallots. What has inspired you to create this menu and these dishes? How has your cooking style evolved and developed?

We have tried to put things on the menu that we enjoy eating. As a family we don’t tend to eat overly fussy or fancy food so it’s all about keeping it simple and flavourful. I take inspiration from all over; seasonal ingredients, family holidays, cookbooks, restaurants and family recipes. My father, Tom, will quite often text me pictures of things he sees or eats that are worth remembering or have something interesting about them – and likewise me back to him. I come from a family who love food so there are always plenty of ideas being knocked about.

Are there any particular chefs or food writers whom you admire?

There are loads.Obviously all the big names like Nigel Slater, Delia Smith, Julia Child, Elizabeth David and Jamie Oliver…

But I really love the new wave of online chefs and food writers. Twitter, Instagram and Youtube have opened up a whole new world and made it so easy to explore who’s eating what out there. Izy Hossack (topwithcinnamon.com) is so young to be so talented, Sabrina Gayhor. Deliciously Ella and so many more.

Which are some of your favourite restaurants around London?

One of my favourites is Morito – I love it. The laid back, un-pretentious style and the simple delicious tapas menu – I always end up over ordering.

For brunch I love Milk in Balham. I have a local Thai called Kaosarn which is a great place to go with friends. It’s BYOB and a jumble of higgledy-piggledy sharing tables, always packed and good fun.

What’s next for you? Any future projects you can share with us?

At the moment I’m just concentrating on giving my all to Villiers and spending any spare time posting on my blog.

Visit www.villiersallday.co.uk