Revelations: Joe Fox, head chef, Townsend, Whitechapel Gallery, London
What was your best subject at school?
History, but to be honest I didn't really get on with school. My favourite subject was riding my BMX
What was your first job?
My dad's building site from 12 years old, pushing wheelbarrows about. At 15 I worked in an off licence called Unwins as a bottle boy, then I moved on to the kitchen, where I started as a kitchen porter and quickly became a commis chef
What do you normally have for breakfast?
Coffee and fresh apple juice
What do you do to relax?
Sleep, look after my daughter. I find foraging quite relaxing
Which is your favourite restaurant?
I love St John in Smithfield, Smoking Goat and Manteca, all in London
What is your favourite food?
I love Thai and French and Greek cuisine, all great
Are there any foods/ingredients that you refuse to cook with?
I stay away from low-welfare meat
What is your favourite drink?
Non-alcoholic: homemade sour cherry cordial with sparkling water and lime. Alcoholic: a cold Asahi Super Dry
What flavour combinations do you detest?
Smurf-flavoured ice-cream
Which person in catering have you most admired?
The Roux brothers, René Redzepi, Anthony Bourdain and Keith Floyd
If not yourself, who would you rather have been?
Jim Morrison in the Doors
If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?
Who knows, I do have a degree in graphic design and I enjoyed printmaking
Describe your ultimate nightmare?
Breakfast service with no eggs ready
Who would play "you" in a film about your life?
Bradley Cooper
What's your favourite book?
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Who would be in your "fantasy" brigade?
Gordon Ramsay, Paul Bocuse, a young Marco Pierre White, Michael Roux, Pierre Gagnaire, Michel Bras and Keith Floyd
If you had more time, what would you do?
Holiday with my family, sleep and ride my BMX
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