Tag: London

  • Cumbria to Claridge’s

    Cumbria to Claridge’s

    L’Enclume’s Simon Rogan to take the helm at Claridge’s

     

    Gordon Ramsay burnt his bridges at Claridge’s after twelve years at the helm in February this year and now, today, his replacement has been announced. Simon Rogan, whose two Michelin starred L’Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria, will take the helm from spring 2014 and “lead the way for a new dining direction” at a hotel that is often referred to as an “annexe to Buckingham Palace”. (more…)

  • Lady Camilla Bloch (born Lady Camilla Bingham)

    Lady Camilla Bloch (born Lady Camilla Bingham)

    Lady Camilla BlochHampstead based and a barrister by profession, Oxford educated Lady Bloch is the daughter of suspected murderer Lord Lucan. Asked how she’d describe her father to her son, Bloch told The Scotsman: “I’ll tell Cameron that his grandfather was tall, dark and handsome – a professional gambler who loved powerboating and the Cresta Run in St Moritz”. Of her father himself, she told The Mail on Sunday: “He has never been able to defend himself and the evidence was not conclusive. It was circumstantial”.

  • Sultan Kösen

    Sultan Kösen

    Sultan KosenA Turkish farmer, Kösen became the world’s tallest man in 2009 at 8’3” and also holds the record for the largest hands at 27.5cm and the largest foot at 36.5cm. He married in October 2013 and stated: “How unfortunate I could not find a suitable girl of my own size”. All he wants now is “a car big enough” to fit into.

  • Yan Assoun

    Yan Assoun

    Yan Assoun and Polina ProshkinaThe term “bonfire of the bankers” truly applies to the life of this divorced Frenchman who has variously been based in London and New York. Back in 2009, he told Bloomberg: “I haven’t cried yet” after being made redundant by Credit Suisse in 2009 and then in October 2013, party loving Assoun informed a London court: “I don’t have any money… Yes I own a $3.3 million New York apartment — it doesn’t mean I’m rich”. This managing partner of the MYD Markets trade execution firm is plainly a man in need of a better publicist.

  • VIPing it

    VIPing it

    Matthew Steeples argues against the overuse of the term ‘VIP’

     

    The ‘VIP’ is dead. This acronym is bandied around so much that it has utterly lost its meaning. (more…)

  • Max Sali: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Max Sali: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    20 questions with restaurateur Max Sali of Pimlico Road’s Tinello

     

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

    It’s always been the dream of my brother and I to have a restaurant. Being understanding of customers is our guiding force.

     

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

    My father said I should never talk about football, women and politics. They are taken rather personally.

      (more…)

  • Michael “Chalky” White

    Michael “Chalky” White

    Michael Chalky WhiteThis Scottish producer’s life was immortalised in the 2013 crowdfunded film, The Last Impresario. Jewish and educated at the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz, White moved from being a Wall Street runner in the 1950s to the pinnacles of showbusiness in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for working on projects as diverse as Monty Python, The Rocky Horror Show, Enigma and White Mischief, this legendary playboy “can’t think about one good thing about growing old” and considers beautiful women to be “like living pictures”. White’s “Icarus-like downfall” into drugs and excess are well documented but, as he’d no doubt say himself, “the party must go on”.

  • A Rolls-Royce goes West

    A Rolls-Royce goes West

    1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II formerly owned by Prince Chula Chakrabongse of Siam for sale for just £55,000

     

    Prince Chula Chakrabongse of Siam (1908 – 1963) – the “Little Prince” – was well known for his White Mouse Racing team in the 1920s, 30s and 40s. He spent much of his later life with his English wife, Elizabeth Hunter, in Cornwall and now with the sale of a 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, a buyer will get a chance to purchase a car that he once owned. (more…)

  • Five of the Best: Gifts for a barfly

    Five of the Best: Gifts for a barfly

    Items that will delight those who like to drink at home

     

    Many readers of The Steeple Times are well known drinking aficionados. As a result, we thought it time to share five of the best items that will further improve your tippling pleasures (more…)

  • Nubar Gulbenkian (Armenian: Նուբար Սարգիս Գյուլբենկյան, 1896 – 1972)

    Nubar Gulbenkian (Armenian: Նուբար Սարգիս Գյուլբենկյան, 1896 – 1972)

    Nubar GulbenkianOne of Nubar Gulbenkian's converted taxisThis Harrow educated eccentric, Santa Claus lookalike and playboy had two Austin FX4 Hackney carriages converted to his own specifications and considered the best number for a dinner party to be two (himself and “a damn good head waiter”). (more…)