Chef revelations: Simon Denton

10 June 2016
Chef revelations: Simon Denton

The chef-director of Zafferano in London reveals his likes and dislikes

What was your best subject at school?

Mathematics

What was your first job?

Worked for my father, who was a boat builder on the Thames

What do you normally have for breakfast?

Porridge with coconut water

What do you do to relax?

Shooting, fishing or rugby

Which is your favourite restaurant?

Le Champignon Sauvage

What's your favourite hotel?

Alila-Ubud in Bali

What is your favourite drink?

Classic gin martini with olives

Which ingredient do you hate the most?

Pre-packed cracked black pepper, it should be banned

What flavour combinations do you detest?

Brine and gin. Whoever thought a dirty martini was a good idea had obviously had one too many martinis

Which person in catering have you most admired?

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

My old rugby coach. He still does - we are still great friends

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

Salt and pepper

Describe your ultimate nightmare

Being alone on a desert Island

If not yourself, who would you rather have been?

Dave Grohl

Tell us a secret…

I was southern region one-mile sprint canoe champion two years in a row with the sea cadets

When did you last eat a hamburger?

A few weeks back at Dirty Bones with deep-fried mac 'n' cheese

Who would play you in a film about your life?

Mathew Perry

What's your favourite book?

Kitchen Confidential

What is your favourite prepared product?

Lemon curd

Who's in your fantasy brigade?

Glynn Purnell on the larder, Michael O'Hare on pastry, David Everitt-Matthias on the stove and Phil Howard on the pass

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