I wasn't manufactured. I was cut from the cloth of the very old world of gastronomy. There was no such thing as celebrity chefs, chefs were trained and I like to think that I still represent those old values from that world and the opportunities that I am offered I often say no to.

Mother Nature is the true artist and our job as cooks is to allow her to shine.

In London I'm not seen in public. I don't go to award ceremonies or gatherings. I just don't go because I like my privacy. I like being with my family and I like being in their company. I work very hard and I don't have much time so I just want to be with my family or in the English countryside. I don't take holidays.

Gastronomy is the greatest form of therapy that anyone can be exposed to.

Once you accept you are being judged by people who have less knowledge than yourself, then what's it worth?

People do peculiar things in life and they do for whatever reason but I think one of the greatest crimes in life is when you lie.

I can't imagine anything worse than trying to impress a girl with dinner. To be honest, I'm always impressing myself, not other people.