Ben Tish, Culinary director at Norma and the Stafford London

Who: Ben Tish

What you do: Culinary director at Norma and the Stafford London.

Where is your hometown? Were you born here or did you move here? Skegness Lincolnshire- born and lived until I was 18, then moved to London.

Skegness Clock Tower © Copyright Richard Hoar

What makes you consider it home? London is now my hometown. I’ve lived here for 25 years.

What is your favorite place to stay when you are “home?” My house in East London, Limehouse- I love East London.

And where do you suggest that travelers stay to feel “local?” In Zone 2- There are some great hotels to stay in East London- Hackney, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green.

© Greg Balfour Evans / Alamy Stock Photo

What’s a neighborhood I need to explore off the tourist map? Hackney.

What makes your hometown special/unique? It’s one of the cultural capitals of the world.

What is your favorite memory in your hometown? Why? Meeting my wife- I’d have to say that!

Why would someone want to visit your hometown? It has the best restaurants and galleries in the world.