IT’S official - I will go to the opening of a Marco Pierre White envelope.

Until recently I knew nothing of him except that he’s a famous chef. I am not an avid watcher of cooking shows.

Although, on reflection, I probably would go out with James Martin if he asked me, but I’m not holding my breath.

I had a lovely lunch when I checked out The Pear Tree, Whitley. And I then popped back with the family to support the Soldiers’ Charity, hand out some scones, jam and cream and raise some cash for a good cause.

And then recently I drove to Malmesbury to try out the Horse and Groom – another pub in The Wheeler’s group of restaurants. This time for a lunch with the great man himself.

And Marco Pierre White is a great man. He orchestrates a conversation like a virtuoso conductor. He wholly and solely owns his business. He is answerable to no one.

His life is Dick Whittington meets Peter Pan. He got started when he missed his bus to Leeds and walking the streets at night he happened upon Albert Roux’s London restaurant, La Gavroche.

He told his tale to a sympathetic ear, gained a job, and the rest is history.

His guilty pleasure is that he has never lost his childhood enthusiasm for toys. He still collects them and he has a huge collection of rocking horses.

But mostly he loves consistency and discipline, and he lives to work.

He is not in it for the money.

He is spreading enterprise, hard work, consistency and discipline as far and wide as he can.

He develops pubs with great atmosphere, great food and great opportunities for the next generation.

He wants other young people to be given the chance he was.

  • Writer & journalist Clare Macnaughton latest book is available on Amazon worldwide. ‘A Modern Military Mother – Tales from the Domestic Frontline’ is an honest account of decade of being married to an RAF officer serving in the British military.

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