Revelations: Pip Lacey, co-founder, Hicce, London

What was your first job?

 

Pot wash at the local pub

 

What do you normally have for breakfast?

 

I don’t normally have breakfast, but when I do, I’ll have Marmite on toast

 

What do you do to relax?

 

I play Fifa on PS4

 

Which is your favourite restaurant?

 

The Palomar in Soho

 

What’s your favourite hotel?

 

Lime Wood in the New Forest

 

Which ingredient do you hate the most?

 

Cucumber, but I like tzatziki and I like using it in dishes

 

Are there any foods/ingredients that you refuse to cook with? If so, why?

 

Tofu – I don’t get it!

 

What flavour combinations do you detest?

 

Pineapple on pizza, and most things with sweet potato

 

Which person in catering have you most admired?

 

Angela Hartnett (obvs)

 

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

 

My wife, Gemma

 

If not yourself, who would you rather have been?

 

A member of Oasis

 

 

Describe your ultimate nightmare

 

Hicce not making it through this coronavirus period

 

Tell us a secret...

 

I love KFC hot wings – but who doesn’t?

 

 

When and where was your last holiday?

 

Majorca, last year

 

What irritates you most about the industry?

 

Service charge and its effects. I wish it didn’t exist and the value was part of the menu cost, and that wages didn’t depend on it

 

When did you last eat a hamburger?

 

I made one the other day when we had a barbecue

 

What is your favourite prepared product?

 

Good charcuterie or snails with garlic butter – the frozen ones. I love them!

 

What’s your favourite book?

 

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

 

Who would be in your “fantasy” brigade?

 

How many am I allowed?! Shannon Johnson, my head chef at Hicce; Angela Hartnett; Diego Cardoso of Rhubarb; Gary Usher, Elite Bistros; Colin Buchan, 1880; Selin Kiazim, Oklava; Adam Jay, Cafe Murano; Nieves Barragán Mohacho, Sabor; Matt Heeley, 28 Market Place; Trystan-Ross Williams, Akoko; and Colin McSherry