Personalities

There are numerous professions which require a characteristic personality and that of chef’s belongs to this category. What makes the best stand out?

The funny guy
Heston Blumenthal’s eyes are happy on every photo. He published a book titled “In Search of Perfection”, but admitted eating kebabs or shrimp cocktail from the supermarket at home with his son. He is always elegant, he shaves his head and wears glasses which make him look like an intellectual. On the TV screen, he appears to be a scientist who works in his laboratory to find out more about food. Still, his work seems to aim at mocking snobbish restaurant-goers. For instance, his bacon and egg ice cream has been a constant favourite at The Fat Duck. The dishes he serves are like modern art installations, but they are so delicious that his restaurant holds three Michelin stars.

The sensual man
It is a commonplace that great chefs are called artists, but it does not happen often that an art critique compares one to Picasso. Actually, this is what Jerry Saltz from New York Magazine did, who happened to eat at ElBulli (unlike ordinary people, he probably did not have to wait for years to reserve a table) and said that Adria was not only of the same stature as Picasso, but his dark eyes revealed the same intense sexuality as well. Saltz tasted the complete 32-course menu and was mesmerised by it. The celebrated chef runs his own publishing company and started a fast food chain in 2004, called Fast Good. By the way, he is also called the David Beckham of chefs.