Tag: Donald Trump

Travel with Trump

Donald Trump offers a chance to win time with him on his plane for free

As part of his increasingly desperate attempt to raise funds to support his campaign to become President of the United States of America, yesterday, Donald Trump and his team bombarded anyone who’d listen with seven emails.

Amongst them was one offering an “opportunity” to “travel with Trump” to a rally on his plane. The unlucky winner will also get to appear at a Trump rally as a “VIP guest” and “get [their] picture taken with [him] to remember this day for the rest of your life”.

Better still: “No purchase, payment or contribution are necessary to enter or win”.

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September 23, 2016
Nolan Browne – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Nolan Browne, manager of London’s Taschen store and Gallery Nolan Browne

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Ambition.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Rubbish in, rubbish out.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Homelessness and Donald Trump.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

A couple of people.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

I wouldn’t.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

Is there still a crisis?

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

‘Take care’.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

I detest chuggers and I’m running the Royal Park Half Marathon in October for Shelter, who help the homeless.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

Don’t text while driving or cycling. Remarkable that people do it.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Woody Allen and Magritte and a billionaire, just to find out exactly how you get that rich.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

I doubt you could wander too far, so maybe a nice Harrods hamper in the prison yard.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Anytime depending on the occasion.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Arty ones – always full of characters and great chat.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Both of my sisters are very positive.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Thomas Pink shirts.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

No answer.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

Any kind of Ferrari.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I was born in Bangkok.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A wedding invitation and some art related postcards.

Nolan Browne is the manager of London’s TASCHEN Store and Gallery Nolan Browne. Travel and art are in his blood and he is the son of a diplomat and an art collector. Browne was born in Bangkok, grew up in New York, Somalia, Ukraine and Rwanda and went to school in the UK. While at university, he founded Unscene Art, a pop-up platform for emerging artists. It was dubbed “The student Turner Prize” by i-D magazine. Pitstops at White Cube and Phillips Auction House led him to TASCHEN – where he is fast turning the London store into one of the capital’s art destinations.

Follow him on Instagram at @nolanbrowne.

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September 16, 2016
Charlie David – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with director and producer Charlie David

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

I have an uncanny knack for honing in on beautiful Brazilian men in a crowd. I’m mysteriously led to them like a dowsing stick to water.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Be brave enough to be honest with everyone in your life.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Man buns.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Playing the piano. I know, I know! Easy enough to fix. A little easier to get back in the saddle with than becoming the head of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

One night of debauchery with Ricky Martin.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

Like travel, music, film, and other industries before it, the big banks now face the squeeze of existing in the age of the Internet. There are better places to invest than through traditional means and people are becoming savvy to that.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

In television, network execs are very fond of using the words ‘buckets’ and ‘wheelhouse’ to describe the topics or areas of interest on their shopping list. It makes me gag a little.

Overheard at the markets this year: “Murder is huge. We want BIG characters and murder. Like if you have anything with a village of little people who come together as a community to sleuth out a serial killer who has been stalking them? That would definitely be in our wheelhouse”.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Through trips to Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa I was able to see a lot of wildlife, humanitarian and environmental initiatives. I think these are important but somehow we’re still really missing the mark in terms of foreign aid.

I recently read Paul Theroux’s Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town and it was a bit shocking to me in its frank and pragmatic assessment of the impact of foreign aid and voluntourism. Definitely a very good read for anyone who has spent time in Africa or other parts of the world as a volunteer. It certainly caused me to pause and reflect a lot on the type of initiatives I lend my time and dollars to.

Now on the international front, I micro-lend through Kiva.org which to me seems a more pragmatic way forward than hand-outs. It supports entrepreneurs around the world who are unable to apply for a traditional bank loan. I think it fosters business skills, accountability and trust which are all great characteristics for a thriving community.

At home I like to contribute to educational, environmental and arts organizations and generally prefer to donate time/money directly to ones I’ve been involved in. That way I know the people; I can gage the impact and witness the ongoing results.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

They should be well and truly hidden whenever humans gather to break bread.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Ricky Martin. Can we have one carriage to ourselves? Please? Honestly, I just think he’s talented and a total D.I.L.F. It’s likely just a passing fancy, not fanaticism.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

I’d ask for something I could share with the other inmates like a pizza party at the gym in the courtyard. I’d want it to be a block party, not a solo steak dinner.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

If you’re in control of your use of alcohol and it’s not controlling you, then the hour of the clock is irrelevant.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A Negroni s’il vous plait.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

My nephews’ and nieces’. I love watching them go to work on a piñata.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My mother. She is pure joy and gratitude. I strive to embody that outlook.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Pizza and Netflix.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

Ricky Martin eating a pizza and watching Netflix.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

Honda – Reliable, frugal and pragmatic.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I had a band as a teenager and opened for Destiny’s Child when Ferra was still part of the group.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Books, books, books. And a bobble-head doll of Ricky Martin.

Charlie David is a storyteller with film, books and web. He lives in Toronto and Montréal, Canada and is the founder of Border2Border Entertainment, Inc.

Follow him on Twitter at @CharlieDavid and view his channel on YouTube at @MrCharlieDavid.

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September 11, 2016
Nicola Radano – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Nicola Radano, an Italian fashion blogger and founder of tie producers Spacca Neapolis

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Determination and loyalty.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

“One can get rich at any moment, but if one has no class, one is always a beggar” – paraphrased from philosopher and connoisseur of Neapolitan culture Luciano De Crescenzo.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

A lot of people.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

I miss being able to sail.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

Living in a world populated by principled people.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

The banking crisis was born to the low value given to the Euro. I have no words to say on that.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“I can’t do it”.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

For me, it’s absolutely right to support both domestic and international charities. Helping someone who has little is the most gallant gesture that anyone can do.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

Smartphones are now improperly used by young children. This is harmful because many of them prefer using them to reading a good book.

Nicola Radano

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Only elegant men.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

A plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce by the sea.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

In the afternoon.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A cup of Neapolitan coffee please.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I like afternoon appetizers in the summer time. I find them most relaxing.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My mum.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Sleeping in late without being interrupted.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A rudder.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Porsche.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

That I’ve been able to create unexpected things from nothing.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Family photos, antique ashtrays and a clock.

Nicola Radano declares his passion to be classical fashion and Neapolitan tailoring. He established a blog about the subject titled ‘Me, Myself & I’ in 2013 and launched his own firm of hand sewn tie producers, Spacca Neapolis, in 2016.

Follow him on Instagram at @nicolaradano and on Facebook by clicking here.

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August 30, 2016
Gerald Ratner – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with well-known businessman Gerald Ratner

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Road cycling.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Don’t give up. Failure is the route to success. You will fail many times before you succeed so embrace failure.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Mark Carney is a mine of misinformation. He said interest rates would go up for the last five years and scared the sh*t out of us on Brexit.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Running a big company.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

I haven’t got all that much wealth, but, as you get older, you appreciate your health more.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

Business requires endless cash and if you can’t raise it anymore, that has a negative effect on the economy.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

Starting every sentence with ‘So’.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

I support animal charities but I don’t like the aggressive approach to fundraising by certain charities and their endless shock adverts on television.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

I hate people screaming down them in public.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Robin van Persie (my all time hero), David Tang (stylish and witty) and Mark Carney (so I can throw him out the window).

Gerald Ratner

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

The Waterside Inn at Bray. I would order a magnum of Château Latour.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

During the week: At nighttime.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A double espresso.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

One that ends early.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My dog, Bear. He thinks he is human.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Cigars.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

I hate tattoos.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

I was a Ferrari. Now, I’m a Volvo.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I never called my jewellery ‘crap’ in that infamous speech. I described it as high quality but unfortunately I called a sherry decanter ‘crap’.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A picture of my dog.

Gerald Ratner is the former chairman and chief executive of the Ratners Group. He is now a keynote speaker.

Follow him on Twitter at @Gerald_Ratner.

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August 23, 2016
Eric Meier– What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with jetsetter Eric Meier

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

My intuition.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

‘Forgive but don’t forget’.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Donald Trump and Crocs.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

My sanity.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

World peace or never ageing.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

Invest. Banks are a joke.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

‘I need’ – Even though I use it every day and a lot.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Anything to do with children. Their innocence and honesty inspires me.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

My answer here is biased since I’m addicted to my phone. I think it’s actually glued to me.

Eric Meier

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

Oprah, Mariah Carey and Karl Lagerfeld.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

The cheesecake at Hôtel Costes in Paris or an In and Out burger.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

In Europe, everything goes; in America, happy hour is at 4pm.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini. Filthy.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Those given by Riccardo Tisci – Beautiful people and beautiful clothes.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Myself – I’m never a pessimist.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

My boyfriend.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

I have one of a broken heart as I’m a hopeless romantic.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Rolls-Royce Ghost extended version.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I’m human.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Candles. Great lighting is key.

Eric Meier is based in Beverly Hills, California and describes himself as a well-travelled jetsetter. He adds: “Biographies are for dead people”.

Join his 28,000 followers on Instagram at @meiereric.

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August 23, 2016
A house for Trump

Replica of the White House in Texas for sale for a record sum – it’d be the perfect plaything for ‘bored of the race for president’ Donald Trump

Last week, Michael Moore suggested Donald Trump doesn’t really want to end up in The White House. For the media loving mogul it’s all about ‘the game’ and as he looks increasingly bored with a campaign he’s ended up railroaded into, he could choose an alternative in the form of a replica of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Texas and take life a little easier on a beach created by the current owner there.

A house for Trump – A genuine White House replica at 515 Bayridge Road, Shoreacres, Morgan’s Point, La Porte, Houston, Southern Texas, TX 77561, United States of America

The house was built for Governor Ross S. Sterling and his family

It is currently owned by Dr. Marcos Masson

Offered for sale for £4,584,000 ($5,995,000 or €5,293,000) – an extraordinary sum in a location where there are very few properties priced over $1,000,000 – 515 Bayridge Road at Morgan’s Point on Galveston Bay was designed by a respected architect named Alfred E. Finn for Ross S. Sterling (1875 – 1949), founder of Humble Oil and 31^st Governor of Texas (1931 – 1933), after the politician and businessman handed his architect a $20 bill in 1924 and said: “Build that for me”.

Completed in 1927 and significantly smaller than the 55,000 square foot “real thing” according to The Wall Street Journal, the 20,689 square foot limestone house – known as The Governor Ross Sterling Mansion – was the largest property in Texas when it was built and now includes 9 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms and a 43-foot long great room with a Gone with the Wind style staircase. Its most notable feature is a columned portico flanked by two sets of stairs and topped with a flagpole that resembles the South Portico at the White House.

Donated to charity by Sterling in 1946, 515 Bayridge Road was used as a juvenile home by the Houston Optimist Club until 1961 and purchased in 2013 by Dr. Marcos Masson, an orthopedic surgeon, for £2,447,000 ($3,200,000 or €2,825,000). He claims to have spent £1,147,000 ($1,500,000 or €1,325,000) on renovations and brought in sand and palm trees to create a small private beach on the 6.365 acre plot.

The house is offered by Lin E. Neese and Chris Foster of John Daugherty Realtors.

This double reversed Gone with the Wind style staircase frames the entrance

The grand salon doubles as a ballroom and is 43 foot long

Whilst this dining room could be a little more tastefully decorated

A reception room with a somewhat ill-coordinated colour scheme and a truly hideous corner sofa

A library without many books

Questionable decoration has also been introduced in this morning room

The kitchen looks as if it belongs in the 1970s

Especially attractive lighting has been used in this media room

A games room featuring a barbers chair antique bar and an Artex ceiling

A gym with yet more Artex

Another reception room

The master bedroom

A somewhat antiquated bathroom complete with a rusty radiator

The rotunda portico rises 22 feet above the bay

From the rear at night

From the front at night

From the road

From the beach

An aerial shot of the house and its plot

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August 23, 2016
Board of The Trump

Donald Trump offers an opportunity to join his “board of directors” for just $100 – Talk about a joke

Somewhat desperately of late, the Trump family have attempted to flog signed copies of The Donald’s The Art of the Deal for a “campaign contribution” of $184 and even offered a chance to win a $2,000 lunch with Eric Trump in New York if they give just $3. Now, the wannabe President of the United States of America has gone one stage further and is now offering “the best patriots” the chance to “take [their] spot on the Trump Board of Directors”.

In his email missive, Donald Trump adds:

“I’ve had a lot of success in business by building a great team around me. I know you share our vision for America . . . an America with strong borders, high-paying manufacturing jobs, a powerful military destroying ISIS and all other terrorists, a VA that truly serves our veterans, and a government that respects hard work and common sense, NOT political correctness”.

“That is why I want you to take your spot on the Trump Board of Directors”.

Rather like his now infamous dodgy degrees, all those giving $100 to “help defeat Crooked Hillary” will actually get is a certificate with their name on it and a note that reads: “You’re the best” from Donald Trump himself. You’ve got to bless him for trying; it’s not worth the paper it’s written on.

#DumpTheTrump

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August 14, 2016
Brian Clivaz – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with bon viveur, chairman of L’Escargot and chief executive of Devonshire Club Brian Clivaz

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

The Sermon on the Mount – Ask, Seek, Knock. (Matthew 7:7).

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

“Rise above it”.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Sam Allardyce as England Manager. He’s a nice guy, but I mean, really?

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

My father. He died two years ago.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

A verdant tropical island.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

Crisis, what crisis? The bankers seem to be doing all right to me.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“Toilet”.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Give it all away: You can’t take it with you. I support the Royal Academy Schools, the RSPB, the RSPCA and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

‘Irritating gadgets’ are essential tools for modern life; but please keep your voice down and learn how to put it on silent.

Brian Clivaz

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

The French rugby team.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Terrine of foie gras, lobster thermidor, roast grouse, raspberries and cream and stilton and digestives. I would eat it in my cell.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Bollinger at breakfast is a good mantra.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A Negroni but please don’t muck around with it and add all those mad “hone-made” vermouths and botanicals. Give me equal measures of Campari, sweet martini and Plymouth or Beefeater gin. Serve in a big glass with plenty of ice. I’m ambivalent about the orange slice.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

David Morgan-Hewitt’s annual birthday party in the penthouse at The Dorchester is the best as there is free flowing Krug to start and Château D’Yquem to finish.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Tony Buzan, the creator of “mind-mapping”, is a seriously positive person and always recharges my synapses.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Roquefort and McVities.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A bulldog, although I’m more of a hippo, I’d go for a bulldog as I have a lovely bitch called Doris.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Jaguar MKII 3.4-litre with overdrive.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I live in Brixton and travel around London on a Vespa.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A “waterfall” clock given to me by my late grandmother, a pair of vases and a couple of Roja Dove aoud candles.

Brian Clivaz was born in Brighton and started his career at The Dorchester. He then worked throughout the world until launching the Home House private members’ club in 1998. Clivaz then revived and relaunched Mayfair’s Arts Club and as well as being chairman of L’Escargot in Soho has just opened a new private club in the City of London named Devonshire Club.

Follow him on Twitter at @BrianClivaz.

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August 11, 2016
Nuno Goncalves – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with executive chef Nuno Goncalves of 12 Hay Hill in London’s Mayfair

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

I am as stubborn as you can get. If I set my mind to something, I won’t stop until I achieve it. It’s what keeps me going.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today; life is too short for time wasting.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Boris Johnson leading the Leave campaign: It was clearly part of his political game to get to 10 Downing Street.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

A social life: It’s what you sign up for when you become a chef.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

A tranquil and peaceful life, surrounded by family, good friends, good food and, of course, good wine.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

Over-optimistic greedy bankers lending to over-optimistic under-achievers.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

Ignorance.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

In my opinion it is everyone’s social and moral responsibility to help the less fortunate when possible. I support the British Heart Foundation; they are a fantastic organization helping people with heart disease all over the UK.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

They are a necessity in modern life, but at the same time reduce their user’s awareness of what surrounds them. Mankind is becoming a prisoner of its own evolution.

Nuno Goncalves

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

My wife, son, close friends and family, my team, Boris Johnson, Jeremy Clarkson, Barrack Obama and Donald Trump.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Probably my wife’s spaghetti Bolognese at home.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

Whatever time it’s necessary to get you through the day.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

Coffee.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

As long as there is a party, I’m not really bothered.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Probably me.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Chocolate and wine: In that order.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

Probably an atomic bomb mushroom cloud, but you do not want me to go off.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Mercedes-Benz.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

Hard on the outside but soft on the inside.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A portrait of my wife and I; it reminds me of how we used to be. Time flies.

Nuno Goncalves was born in Portugal and grew up in Toronto. He has worked at the Corinthia Hotel and Galvin at Windows and is now executive head chef of Shaun Rankin’s London restaurants and oversees the dining room at business members’ club 12 Hay Hill in Mayfair, London.

Follow him on Instagram at @nunogoncalves84.

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July 20, 2016