What was your first job?
Making garden sheds
What was your first job in catering?
Prep chef in a steak and chips restaurant called Smithells Coaching House
Which is your favourite restaurant?
I admire Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons for many reasons
What's your favourite hotel?
Claridge's
What's your favourite drink?
Anything that Craig Bancroft (Northcote) brings me - if not, top Bordeaux
What do you do to relax?
Anything to do with sport but skiing is my favourite
Which person in catering have you most admired?
I admire many in this industry - it is a hard job to have longevity - so probably Albert Roux
Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?
The late Francis Coulson
What flavour combinations do you detest?
Chilli with everything for the sake of it
Cast away on a desert island, what luxury would you take?
A full wine cellar
If not yourself, who would you rather have been?
Difficult, I always believed in being the best yourself but I admire people like Nelson Mandela
If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?
Working in the health business with my mother and father
What do you normally have for breakfast?
Yogurt, fruit, honey, mint tea
Describe your ultimate nightmare
Too many drinks with Mark Hix, Mark Edwards and Richard Corrigan
When and where was your last holiday?
Portugal - Villa Joya, celebrating Craig Bancroft's 50th birthday
What irritates you most about the industry?
Lack of training
What is your favourite prepared product?
Chestnuts
Who would be in your fantasy brigade?
Terry Laybourne, Nigel Haworth, Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jnr, Heston Blumenthal, Chris Galvin, Jason Atherton and Paul Rankin
Paul Heathcote is the owner of Heathcotes Restaurants