Which is the best city for food?
“Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia has the most diverse food scene. I love the street food, especially char kway teow: flat rice noodles stir-fried with garlic, Chinese sausage, shrimp, bean sprouts and rich soy-based sauce. I also like roti canai, a flaky flatbread served with dal. I dream of going back there.”
What memories do you have from your childhood holidays?
“Sitting for hours in the car with my parents and squabbling with my siblings as we drove around Europe. It was really fun. One time we were in Italy and crossed the border into Yugoslavia, which was still a communist country in those days. In Ljubljana, I remember eating at a Soviet-style restaurant that served only three items on the menu. They didn’t taste very good.”
Where did you go on your first holiday without your parents?
“Egypt, with my then partner. We stayed at a resort on the Red Sea halfway down the Sinai desert, between Sharm El Sheikh and Eilat. There was nothing there except these Bedouin shacks, and the seafood cooked there took three hours to arrive. The accommodation was ramshackle – there was minimal comfort but 100 per cent joy. It was absolutely beautiful.”
Which is the smartest hotel you’ve ever stayed in?
“Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, because I’m often there for work. The suite is the perfect place to relax after a busy day; the views over the river are beautiful, and the team makes me feel right at home.”
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met on your travels?
“American baker and chef Nancy Silverton. Famous for her Pizzeria Mozza restaurant in Los Angeles, she’s a larger-than-life character. I first met her when she came to one of my restaurants in London, more than a decade ago. Now she’s in her 70s and is one of the pillars of our industry. She is also incredibly fun to spend time with: very opinionated and extremely funny without even knowing it.”
