Revelations: Peter Gray, head chef, the Hind's Head, Bray

What was your first job?

 

I had a paper round, I would get up and jump on my bike before school every day

 

What was your first job in catering?

 

I was a kitchen porter at Middlethorpe Hall in York, and I then progressed to commis chef

 

What do you normally have for breakfast?

 

Coffee!

 

What do you do to relax?

 

I play squash, it's great way to unwind

 

Which is your favourite restaurant?

 

The Coach in Marlow, it's local to me and it's fantastic, I love it

 

What is your favourite drink?

 

A pint of Guinness

 

What is your favourite food?

 

It depends on my mood and the time of year, but anything barbecued

 

Which person in catering have you most admired?

 

Anyone who has taken the risk to open their own restaurant

 

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

 

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

 

More Guinness!

 

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

 

In the army or the marines

 

Describe your ultimate nightmare?

 

A kitchen full of clutter with people whistling!

 

Tell us a secret…

 

I once saw a good chef friend of mine split his hollandaise. He added yellow food colouring and blended it back together!

 

What irritates you most about the industry?

 

“People know the price of everything and the value of nothing” â€" Oscar Wilde

 

What is your favourite prepared product?

 

Branston Pickle

 

What’s your favourite book?

 

Apart from cookbooks? Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach