My London: Michel Roux Jr

Home is…

My flat in Clapham, with my wife, Giselle. We have lived there for decades. I was born in Kent but moved to London just a few years later, so I have spent most of my life here. I love spending time at our family house in France, but London will always be my home.

Which shops do you rely on?

I get superb British cheeses from Neal’s Yard. It has something new every time I walk in. I got some Rollright cheese from there recently, which was delicious. Berry Bros & Rudd on St James’s Street is my go-to for wine — it has a beautiful 19th-century cellar that was used by Napoleon for secret meetings in the 1840s.

What was the last play you saw?

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. It was fun, enlightening, thought-provoking. My wife loved it.

Where would you recommend for a first date?

Galvin at Windows to see [maître d’] Fred Sirieix.

Best meal you’ve had?

Core by Clare Smyth. I went with Giselle, my daughter Emily and her husband, Diego. We had the signature potato dish, ‘potato and roe’ with dulse buerre blanc, herring and trout roe, and it was divine. The only issue is that there wasn’t enough — I could have had two!

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

I would put free whisky fountains on every street corner.

Favourite pub?

The Windmill in Clapham — it’s right on the Common and has great beer. I love The Wigmore, too.

Most iconic Londoner?

Twiggy. For me, she just encapsulates the Sixties in every sense — the look, the feel, the moment.

Favourite hotel?

The Langham, naturally! Chez Roux has been looking after the catering at the hotel since 2015, from the restaurants to events and room service. It is steeped in history and architecturally, it’s beautiful.

Best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?

‘Hello Raymond!’ He thought I was fellow chef Raymond Blanc.

What is your biggest extravagance?

Vintage champagne and fine wines. Life is too short to drink bad wine. I do have a particular affection for Rhône valley wines; they’re great for drinking with food. Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo is a personal favourite, so much so that I’ve convinced the founder, Jean-Luc, to come and do a wine dinner at Le Gavroche. If it’s champagne, I’ve got a soft spot for Taittinger. It’s another family-run business like my own.

What do you collect?

Old cookery books. I enjoy collecting any type of cookery book for that matter — I think I’ve got well over 600 now. Some of them are on display in the Chef’s Library private dining room at Le Gavroche.

Watch Roux discover the art behind The Balvenie handcrafted scotch (youtube.com/thecraftsmensdinner)