Revelations: Adam Jay, Café Murano, Bermondsey, London

What was your best subject at school?

 

Maths. It’s useful as I progress and learn more about the business side of things

 

What was your first job?

 

I was a kitchen porter in Caffé Uno in Shrewsbury when I was 15. I learned by being in the shit!

 

What do you normally have for breakfast?

 

Black coffee, no sugar

 

What do you do to relax?

 

I cycle a lot

 

What is your favourite hotel?

 

The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida in the US – it’s an incredible five-star hotel. I did a work placement there when I was at university

 

What’s your favourite drink?

 

Just a nice cold pint of pale ale

 

What flavour combinations do you detest?

 

Chocolate with fruit – like black forest gâteau

 

What do you always carry with you?

 

In the kitchen, a spoon. It always used to be the same spoon but I kept losing it

 

Which person in catering do you admire the most?

 

Angela Hartnett. I’ve seen how much energy she puts into the business

 

 

Cast away on a desert island, what luxury item would you take?

 

Probably something simple, like a deckchair to relax in

 

What daily newspaper or website do you read?

 

Sky Sports and Sky News

 

If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?

 

Maybe working in finance

 

What’s your favourite prepared product?

 

A Toffee Crisp

 

If you had more time what would you do?

 

I’d cycle and read more and spend more time with my family