Revelations: Yuma Hashemi, chef-patron, the Drunken Butler
What do you normally have for breakfast?
Oysters. Actually, I don't normally have breakfast, but I'll always take a stroll to Broadway Market first thing and try what fun things they have on offer. It's usually an oyster
What was your best subject at school?
Hide and seek
What was your first job in catering?
I worked in a traditional Biergarten [a traditional beer garden] in Berlin
If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?
Surfing around the world
Which is your favourite restaurant?
Hill & Szrok on Broadway Market and L'Exquis in Bordeaux
Which person in catering have you most admired?
Pierre Gagnaire
Which ingredient do you hate the most?
Raisins
Who would play "you" in a film about your life?
Bill Murray
Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?
My sister. She has always supported me, had my back, and inspired me to travel and discover the world
What's your favourite hotel?
Hôtel Amour in Paris
What's your favourite film?
Broken Flowers
What do you do to relax?
It used to be yoga, but these days it's sharpening my knives after service. It really calms me down
What irritates you most about the industry?
False expectations and impatience. There is sometimes a view, especially from younger people, that they should be commanding a certain salary at a very young age. It's important to work hard and they will be rewarded. Our industry is brilliant at recognising talented individuals
Who would be in your "fantasy" brigade?
Mattia Gerundio, who works with me at the Drunken Butler, Jamie Allen (Hill & Szrok), Sam Kamienko (Leroy), Clare Smyth (Core), Tetsuroh Miyamoto (L'Exquis) and Pierre Gagnaire
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