Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
2 appearances
One of two brothers who are Britain's best-known restaurateurs and among the world's best chefs, described as gastronomic missionaries.
On the island
Eight records
It reminded me of the time where I I spent nearly a year in the Sahara, which is very much in the desert that was during my army, and we were looked after, protected by the Legion. And I love Edith Piaf very much so.
just to remind Michele that he is the only one.
Alan Loveday and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields
when between the age of let's say twenty two to twenty six when I was having a little time off in the afternoon to lay down for half an hour and listening to the four season spring especially and letting my mind go away to my brother as I wanted the time to flow and to go very quickly for me to join him.
And I think it's one of the greatest singers and actors as he was acting as well in that uh play and uh I I will always remember that play. It's one of the greatest plays I've seen.
Non, je ne regrette rienFavourite
I wanted my brother to know that.
which I love. I mean it's the theme of the of the of that lovely film which I've got on record in fact and uh I play that track uh from time to time, especially when I feel low and a bit tired.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:46Do you think you'd get on well together [sharing this desert island]?
Oh, I think it'd be back to the old days, really. So, I mean, I look forward to that. … I would uh second that sentence.
Presenter asks
1:49Was there ever any doubt that you were not going to work together?
Absolutely none. No, no. Right out from uh childhood we were going to be together. It's never been put into I always look at Albert as uh my mentor and someone who uh you know was giving me inspiration and I wanted to do what he was doing and I loved him and uh … I wanted to be with him. … wherever he was and uh came to this country, so I came to this country.
Presenter asks
4:14Why pastry work? Why was that?
I been lucky enough to be told by a wise old man to whom I confined that I wanted to be a chef. … Then he said before being a cook you have to learn how to do pastry. … Well, the pastry give you the balance, really. I mean, art as well. And you were without excess. I mean, there is some freedom in Patisfree and there is other things which to hold you back. And discipline is very important.
The keepsakes
No book or luxury recorded for this episode.
Presenter asks
8:52When you first arrived at the age of eighteen from France, did you fall in love immediately with [England]?
Didn't take me long. I was very, very surprised when I stepped out from the train in Victoria Station. … My life uh started in England. There was no doubt in my mind that it was the country where I was going to come back. Nobody was going to move me out from that country. I fell in love with it and um I uh often said to one who want to hear it, I only travel with a French passport. I'm definitely I feel English and I'm very happy in this country.
Presenter asks
16:39What was your original notion all those years ago when you opened this first restaurant [Le Gavroche] in London?
I think the idea behind it which in a way succeeded splendidly. was to open a restaurant where it was not a restaurant, where it was more like a large private house. where you took out of the restaurant all the pumps and the flambé and all the The ceremonial were attached to the restaurant. … a short menu. We done away with the large menu. … And um giving people joy in a sort of a relaxed atmosphere.
Presenter asks
21:20What do you need to be to be a great chef?
I think you've got to have um a lot of uh stamina, uh you've got to have a lot of dedication, but you've got to be a good leader, you've got to be a father at the same time. You've got to remember never to panic. And something goes wrong, and it always goes wrong. … And you've got to lead your men, but they don't know you're leading them. They they work with you and they feel that you give them the best of yourself and you've got to give them the best of yourself.