Revelations: Ellis Barrie, chef and co-owner, the Marram Grass, Anglesey

What was your best subject at school?

 

Design and technology. History was my favourite, though

 

What was your first job?

 

Washing hair and sweeping up in a hair salon. Epic!

 

What was your first job in catering?

 

Working on the bar food in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Liverpool

 

What do you do to relax?

 

I tend to eat and cook a lot. It keeps me sane

 

Which is your favourite restaurant?

 

The Marram Grass, obviously. I love the Art School too, it feels like a second home

 

What's your favourite hotel?

 

Chewton Glen, but I'm more of a camper

 

What is your favourite drink?

 

Coffee

 

What is your favourite food?

 

You can't beat a pan of scouse

 

Which ingredient do you hate the most?

 

I hate foraged foods just for the sake of it. There tends to be a reason things went out of use

 

What flavour combinations do you detest?

 

Barbecue sauce on a pizza

 

How would you describe your desk?

 

Neglected

 

Which person in catering have you most admired?

 

I love Jamie Oliver! His books got me cooking

 

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

 

My boat

 

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

 

Marcus Wareing. I ate at Pétrus when I was 16 and that was when I was first introduced into this world!

 

Describe your ultimate nightmare?

 

I used to have an actual nightmare where I'd be cooking and cooking and I couldn't get the food out of the kitchen

 

Where was your last holiday?

 

Padstow Touring Park in the motorhome

 

What irritates you most about the industry?

 

People who work in the industry and complain about it. If you don't like it, leave. No one is making you

 

What is your favourite prepared product?

 

Tabasco

 

If not yourself, who would you rather have been?

 

One of my brothers