sketch may have garnered a reputation as one of the most ‘instagrammable’ restaurants in London, yet few who pass through it's doors know the daring and captivating stories behind it's artistic inspirations and dazzling design or about the visionary who crafted one of the most multi-sensory and visually stunning dining experiences in London.
Speaking in a new episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast called ‘The Instagrammable World Of sketch’, which is available on YouTube (or below) and also as a transcript on Medium, international gallerist Pearl Lam talks with the visionary founder behind sketch, Mourad Mazouz.
Mourad takes Pearl through the story of his life, from growing up in Algeria, moving to France, then the US, and finally landing in London. He discusses his dedication to creating an experience beyond excellent food, as well as his dedication to supporting art and design.
Explaining how to create a Michelin-starred experience for guests, Mourad says:
“I always see it as a daisy. You have the heart where all the insects come to eat, that's the food. You have all the petals, with one petal is the phone and the way you answer the phone. The petal after is the way you receive people when they enter your building, then, the way you take them to the table is another petal. After, is the setup of the table, you have the lighting, the music. Every detail is a petal. If I take three or four petals away, you will not keep the beautiful daisy because you will miss a part of it”.
sketch is currently amidst a celebrated collaboration with Pearl Lam’s international gallery to showcase a series of international artists. Sam Cox – better known as Mr Doodle - has currently taken over sketch with his signature designs on sketch’s famed pod toilets.
Mr Doodle's designs across the infamous 'pod' toilets, marking the collaboration between sketch and Pearl Lam Galleries.
Speaking about ‘The Instagrammable World Of sketch’ episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam said:
“Mourad is someone who stays in the background and doesn’t seek the limelight despite being one of the original visionaries who transformed the London food and drink scene. Many have attempted to emulate his creation since sketch first opened in 2003, but most are derivative. Perhaps most interesting is that in an age when venues aim to create Instagram friendly spaces, sketch was London’s most Instagrammable venue seven years before Instagram was even invented. That says a lot about the hierarchy of priorities when managing a top tier venue”.
About The Pearl Lam Podcast
Pearl Lam is an international gallerist and is one of the most instantly recognisable contemporary art experts in the world. In The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl seeks to spotlight established and emerging voices from around the world who have shown an unwavering determination to break with convention and follow their own convictions - no matter what.
Slán go fóill.