EasyFoodN5 has lunch with the locals: Jake Perkins, managing partner at Hotblack Desiato Estate Agents

You will probably recognise Jake Perkins’ infamous mop of dark curly hair, usually seen racing around Highbury Barn, Upper Street and, more latterly, Parkway as he flits between Hotblack Desiato’s 3 offices constantly ensuring all his staff are kept in order and happy.
Jake was born and bred in Canonbury and talks to EasyFoodN5 about food and his life in Highbury.
“I grew up with my parents and 3 sisters, one still lives in Canonbury and the other two have emigrated to Barnsbury and Highbury.” “We lived in the same house in Canonbury Park North the whole time I lived with my parents.” The house was sold shortly before Jake made the big move to Petherton Road.
Aside from a brief sojourn in The Alps, Jake has always lived in Islington. Jake loves skiing (and is extremely accomplished at it by the way — beware if he ever asks you to join him on the slopes — he skis off piste only!), and he lived and worked in Tignes for 6 years. “Truth be told, that has been my favourite address as I skied all day and worked at night.”
Sadly, Jake had a bad accident, damaged his back and realised that a career in skiing was not to be. “I decided to become an estate agent as I thought it wouldn’t involve much writing.” chuckled Jake who liked the idea of being constantly out and about showing properties rather than being stuck behind a desk all day. “Of course that has changed now and the job is much more desk driven, although I still get to get out and about, looking after this lot!” — gestures at his colleagues in the Highbury Office who all emit a typical “GROAN”. The atmosphere in the office is light and friendly — Jake seems keen to foster a healthy balance of hard work and banter.
Earliest Memory of the area?
Walking to (Canonbury) school and playing with my mates in Canonbury Park North & South. Jake’s children also went to Canonbury School as do his nephews and nieces. “It never ceases to amaze me how small the desks are when I go back!” he smiles.
Earliest Food Memory?
“Grannies biscuits, luckily my mother still makes them for my children. Large flat buttery ginger biscuits; and also Grannies meringues, all gooey.”
Did you eat out much growing up?
“No, mum loved to cook. Whenever she went away, however, we would go to Youngs Chinese, which started life on Canonbury Lane before moving to Upper Street. A great restaurant but sadly no longer.” Shopping for food was very different in those days, Jake tells me. “There was nothing like the choice that there is today. The nearest supermarket was Sainsbury’s in Wood Green which we used to get dragged around with mum.”
Where do you eat out now?
Jake tells @EasyFoodN5 that he is a “Three Square Meals a day” man. So his ideal day would be:
Breakfast at Arthurs on Kingsland Road
Lunch would be a cheeseburger and fries at Homeburger on Holloway Road
Dinner, easy — his local pub, The Marquess Tavern
Erm — how come you’re not the size of a house?
“Running around between three Hotblack Desiato offices keeps me pretty fit!” laughs Jake. He then tells me that he is an avid runner, running several KM 3 or 4 times a week as well as ‘doing the steps’ with his colleague James Blissett before work in the mornings.
‘Doing The Steps’?
Basically this consists of running up and down the steps of the Arsenal Stadium a ridiculous amount of times at crazy speeds: forwards, backwards, sideways, up and down for about half an hour until they can barely stand. Hard core!
Favourite Meal to cook at home?
“My wife does most of the cooking at home, luckily I like washing up. I’m a real family man and I like nothing more than a huge moussaka with the whole family all sitting round the table and chatting.”
Hotblack Desaiato seem to be quite a foodie bunch?
“Yes we all are foodies, but we do and try to limit excessive eating to Fridays! We run competitions like ‘bake off’ and ‘Come Dine With Me’ from time to time too.” It seems that being an estate agent with Hotblack Desiato isn’t just about property! The last ‘Come Dine With Me’ was won by Josh (pictured below on the left), who trained as a chef before going into property.

EasyFoodN5 dined with Jake and his colleagues, Alasdair Macdonald (not pictured as he had to pop to the sales office next door), Josh Fox-Cooper and Hiten Devshi at Hotblack Desiato, 4 Highbury Park N5. We shared a take away from The Howling Cow and The Fat Bird, 45 Hornsey Road N7, which, I have to report, was pretty amazing. @EasyFoodN5 had the mac ’n’ cheese with chicken, a brilliant combo. Next time, however, I’m going to try one of their salt beef sandwiches!
