A friend as well as being the most influential chef (with his brother Michel). As it happens I was their very first customer when they opened Le Gavroche in the 1960s. I saw him a few months ago at Le Gavroche and we giggled together (I always ordered their duck, which was similar to my choice at La Tour D'Argent in Paris, and I used to wind him up about it). As it happens I sent him my love only a few days ago via his son, who replied passing his father's love back to me, on Monday. Michel Jnr just did a fantastic show on food and drink in Bristol, which I loved.

About 15 years ago we hired a chef who was trained as an apprentice by the Roux empire in the 1980's.