In the Hot seat - Brent Castle
Interview with Brent Castle
Do you ever lose it with customers?
"I've had the odd moment. I'm not the sort of chef who comes out and does a parade around the pub. If anybody has a question or wants to know what I can cook for their kids then I'll come out."
What's your ambition?
"To get a good night's sleep would be a good one when you've got a three-year-old and a 10 month old.
Business goals?
Pay back the mortgage, get some letting rooms in the barns at the back, buy the fields behind and start rearing pigs.
Avoid getting a Michelin star: I've seen too many people go under worrying about it. The only people you've got to please are your customers, so focus on that."
What was the last CD you bought?
"I can't abide music in the kitchen during service. I prefer Radio 4. I do play music, usually when I'm in the kitchen on my own in the afternoon.
The last one I bought? I can't remember. I like a bit of Elton John and Jeff Buckley's Grace is brilliant. That's in the car at the moment. Ian Dury is the kids' favourite. We have a little sing-song."
What's your favourite film?
"Withnail & I - gotta be. Big Night is a fantastic film. Who can resist a film with Isabella Rossellini in it? It's about two Italian brothers who run a restaurant. There's fantastic food in it. But it has to be Withnail & I. The guy who wrote it lives just down the road. A friend of mine did some work on his house."
