The Weekender Interview: Mark Jarvis
What image do you currently have on your phone’s wallpaper?
The bog standard Samsung image
What was your first job?
A local paper round then a pot washer
Gordon or Marco?
Marco
What was the last film you saw in the cinema?
The new Trainspotting film
What is your guiltiest food pleasure?
Cheese and Marmite sandwich
Where are you going on your next holiday?
Italy
What industry figure do you most admire (and why)?
Raymond Blanc, for his passion for flavour and produce, and training
If you weren’t in restaurants, what would you do?
Some sort of creative design company
Biggest regret?
Not traveling when I was younger
Pet hate?
A badly cling filmed container
Oddest thing a customer has said to you?
"All chefs do cocaine"
Marmite: love it or hate it?
Love it
Describe your cooking style in three words
Creative. Unpredictable. Nostalgic
What country do you next want to visit?
Scotland
Most overrated food?
Christmas pudding
Restaurant czar for a day – what would you implement?
All restaurant rents to have a maximum £ per sq ft. regardless of the area to give every hospitality business the opportunity to succeed
What’s the worst review you’ve ever had?
I am always happy to change or adapt for dietary requirements and allergies, but the most frustrating thing is having a review come through complaining that a dish was dry or underwhelming when they’ve asked for elements to be removed
What made you want to become a chef?
Watching and cooking with my Grandma
What do you cook at home on your days off?
Real home food. Shepherd’s pie, lasagne, that sort of thing
What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?
Work at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, the kitchen there has mastered the art of correctly training young starting chefs
Which single item of kitchen equipment could you not live without?
My Pacojet
iPhone or Android?
Android
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t rush
What’s your earliest memory?
Falling over at a zebra crossing
Where do you go when you want to let your hair down?
Anywhere open when I finish
Twitter or Instagram?
Instagram
Tipple of choice?
Japanese whisky
What would you choose to eat for your last meal?
Sausage and mash
