A chef's palate is born out of his childhood, and one thing all chefs have in common is a mother who can cook.
Cooking is a philosophy; it's not a recipe.
My mind might be conservative, but at heart, I was always a socialist.
I think self-discovery is the greatest achievement in life, because once you discover yourself and accept what you are, then you can fulfil your true potential and be happy.
Oliver Reed was a great man who did things his own way. He used to come into Harveys, my restaurant in Wandsworth, and sit on the floor to have a drink before going to the table.
As far as I am concerned, ambition is the most dangerous occupation in the world. I have never been ambitious, or if I have, it's only been by default.
My favourite dessert is tarte Tatin.
Self-control is true power.
My favourite dinner is a cup of tea and a ham sandwich with English mustard.
Food should be simple; it shouldn't be complicated, even down to making Knorr gravy: a Knorr stock cube and water, bit of parsley at the end, little bit of olive oil. It's about making the food deliciously tasty.
Oh, I love ladies in hats! One rule of restaurants: never take a hat from a lady; wait for her to offer you the hat because she might not want to take it off - she might not have had time to do her hair properly.
For me, food is about generosity, and this should reflect on the plate as well.
The food wasn't very good in the first kitchen I ever worked in. But it was very busy, so I learnt to be fast, absorb pressure, use a knife, and say, 'Yes, chef.'
I am a believer that if you bring children into this world, then you have a responsibility to do your best and support and guide them until the day you die.
A lot of people say I look like a rock star or a designer punk. But I swear it's the job that has carved my face. It's the hours, the stress, and the pressure. It's not me trying to look like this.
I'm naturally an introvert.
All great chefs have two things in common. First, they respect nature as the true artist, and they are just cooks. Second, everything that they do is an extension of them as a person.
We all make mistakes. God knows I've made more than anyone else I know.
I think Singapore is one of the great cities of the world.
People are bored of these 12-course gastronomic menus. They want affordable glamour.
