Breadcrumbs [Home](/) > [A Foodie Founder Shares His Kitchen Staples](/markdownify/node/4082) ![A Foodie Founder Shares His Kitchen Staples](https://media.slman.com/lIwYwqHIcPNC-SuyL5q-G_QZ8e8=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Fsl-man-280125-site-assets-whats-in-my-foodshop-hero-thumb.jpg) ![A Foodie Founder Shares His Kitchen Staples](https://media.slman.com/cPHLhxm1lfM3oVPK4BesMf8no94=/400x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Fsl-man-280125-site-assets-whats-in-my-foodshop-hero-thumb.jpg) Images: PEXELS/COTTON BRO; KEVIN MALIK [Food & Drink](/life/food-drink) / 28 January 2026 # A Foodie Founder Shares His Kitchen Staples Max Bergius is the man behind Secret Smokehouse, the cult smoked‑fish outfit supplying some of London’s best restaurants from its site in London Fields. We asked him what goes into his own weekly shop – from caviar to Irn‑Bru, these are the things he always brings home. Images: PEXELS/COTTON BRO; KEVIN MALIK All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. [ ![](https://media.slman.com/gARymTrWIq5Wnw4K8R3HmUZ8em0=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Fsl-man-online-food-order-max-bergius-secret-smokehouse.jpg) ](https://secretsmokehouse.co.uk/) ## FRIDGE STAPLES **Riverford Boxes:** We get a weekly delivery of salad and fruit boxes from [Riverford](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=107073&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.riverford.co.uk%2F). This is an essential for snacking, cooking and enjoying the best seasonal produce. I like to make banana bread – a favourite in the house and for my kids’ packed lunches. **Cacklebean Eggs:** These are proper eggs and support local farmers. I need to have these in the fridge for all the baking I get up to. **Cottage cheese:** The easiest way to add protein to any meal. I love baking treats for my girls using this simple ingredient which is packed with so many nutrients. Blueberry cottage-cheese muffins are a winner. **King’s Beluga Caviar:** This is an absolute essential and I wouldn’t get my caviar from anywhere else. **Secret Smokehouse Smoked Salmon:** It’s simply the most versatile staple – breakfast, lunch and dinner – a massive crowd pleaser and the kids love it too. **Mini BabyBels:** Such a tasty snack that’s full of protein and nutrients. My favourite when I’m on the go with my mad schedule. **Secret Smokehouse Mussels:** Another perfect snack and an absolute winner when entertaining. I serve them straight from the tub with bread, lemon and hot sauce, or pile them onto crostini as an easy appetiser. They’re also ideal for snacking while cooking – surprisingly moreish. **1.2kg T-bone steak from** [**Provenance Butcher**](https://provenancebutcher.com/)**:** Sounds mental but it’s true. We love beef. Even for Christmas we ditched the turkey and had a BBQ. [ ![](https://media.slman.com/vhmlBCdAg-mVOhCvmPhB4JTBvwI=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Fsl-man-online-food-order-max-bergius-secret-smokehouse-small-landscape-credit-secretsmokehouse.jpg) ](https://secretsmokehouse.co.uk/) @secretsmokehouse ## CUPBOARD ESSENTIALS **Bovril:** Bit of a wildcard staple but it’s my guilty pleasure – at home and work. The perfect salty, comforting drink when I’m cold or under the weather. **Tetley’s Tea:** No more to be said. **Espinaler olives with anchovies:** We eat cans and cans of these. **Baxters Cock-a-Leekie Soup:** You can’t go wrong with a classic soup and crusty bread on the side, doused in Secret Smokehouse smoked butter. ## SNACKS & TREATS **Tony’s Chocolonely:** The GOAT chocolate. Essential for cooking and eating. I like it chopped and melted through my banana bread when I’m feeling a bit cheeky. **Sugar-coated nuts from Lidl:** These bad boys are dangerously good. I get through packets at an alarming rate – perfect for mindless snacking. **Jumbo caramel stroopwafels:** These live in the fridge. Colder, firmer and somehow even better. Great with tea or a post-dinner sweet when you don’t want anything too heavy. **Pot Noodle:** You can’t beat good old Chicken & Mushroom flavour with some extra soy sauce. **Tunnock’s Milk Chocolate Caramel Wafer Biscuit:** Put them in the fridge and dunk them in your tea. [ ![](https://media.slman.com/afpT-w6Fvkd6awLHxatUM2lZSlM=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Fsl-man-online-food-order-max-bergius-credit-secretsmokehouse.jpg) ](https://secretsmokehouse.co.uk/) @secretsmokehouse ## FREEZER ITEMS **Secret Smokehouse Fish Pie:** One of those emergency dinners you’re genuinely pleased to eat. Comforting, rich and perfect for nights when cooking properly feels like too much effort. It’s a no-brainer. They sell out so fast in the shop. **Frozen shell-on prawns:** I buy these from Billingsgate Market in bulk. Just defrost and eat with some nice supermarket brown bread and a dollop of mayonnaise and lemon juice. **Prawn gyozas:** We have a brilliant Asian supermarket near us and fill our freezer full of them. ## DRINKS **Irn-Bru:** If you know, you know. **Hendrick’s Gin:** A hosting essential and perfect to break the ice when everyone arrives. **Fever-Tree tonic:** To go with the Hendrick’s, alongside a couple of slices of cucumber and a crack of pepper. I also like San Pellegrino’s sparkling water. **Fortaleza Blanco Tequila:** For when I feel like showing off and making a margarita. **Pickle House Tomato Bloody Mary Mix:** For weekend brunches or slow Sundays, when I can’t be bothered making my own from scratch. Visit [SecretSmokehouse.co.uk](https://secretsmokehouse.co.uk/) --- ## SHOP THE EDIT ![Olives With Anchovy from Espinaler](https://media.slman.com/R7UVXhhGygRqUOjBbKdUii9PXQg=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Fespinaler-olives-with-anchovies.png) [#### Olives With Anchovy](https://www.thetinnedfishmarket.com/products/espinaler-olives-with-anchovy) ##### Espinaler £3.50 ![Fortaleza Blanco Tequila from Destileria La Fortaleza](https://media.slman.com/-1qTGJOWq81aVCeoWs3zlRxUPo0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Ffortaleza-blanco-tequila.png) [#### Fortaleza Blanco Tequila](https://www.distillersdirect.com/products/fortaleza-blanco-tequila-70cl) ##### Destileria La Fortaleza £61.50 ![Grass Fed T-Bone Steak from Provenance 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£12.99 ![Beef Extract from Bovril](https://media.slman.com/KrYXT6tpESQSO3CQDhF4OEgXlZY=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Fbovril-beef-yeast-extract-spread.png) [#### Beef Extract](https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/254880858) ##### Bovril £4.75 ![Beluga Caviar from King's](https://media.slman.com/n3dtlbUybvI2LLSSewm9R9Rk3TA=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Fkings-beluga-caviar.png) [#### Beluga Caviar](https://www.kingsfinefood.co.uk/shop/beluga-caviar-10g/) ##### King's £49.25 ![Prawn Gyoza from Ajinomoto](https://media.slman.com/1wSamsDuC5u_-zehPjFbUlQ0SdM=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F01%2Fprawn-gyozas.png) [#### Prawn Gyoza](https://www.ocado.com/products/ajinomoto-prawn-gyoza/610029011) ##### Ajinomoto £10.85 ![Gin from 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