A 20-question interview with new manager of The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant in Knightsbridge, London Franco Becci
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
My will to please and succeed.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“If you believe, you can achieve”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?
Broadband signal strength and mobile phone signal coverage.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Spending more time with my family and in my garden.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Health and happiness.
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 state of the financial system?
Due to Brexit, it is now very uncertain for banks and individuals.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
People telling me “I know” when they do not actually “know”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I support all people that do anything for charity.
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?
Mobile phones are fantastic devices but they can sometimes dominate your life.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My previous mentors and my VIP guests who’ve been supporting me for many years.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
My mother’s lasagna back home in Italy.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Anytime as long as you have the right people around you and a chauffeur to take you home.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Having met most of the actors who played James Bond, it has to be a martini. “Stirred not shaken”.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I have missed a lot of my children’s parties but they are the ones I enjoy the most.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My sister. She always gives me good advice and direction.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A glass of good red wine and some blue cheese.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A smiley face. It’s a very important thing to have in the hospitality industry.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Ferrari.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
My memory is my greatest asset and I love surprising my guests by remembering their likes and dislikes.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A picture of my lovely family.
Franco Becci joined The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant as restaurant manager in September 2016. Originally from Italy, his 40-year career in the hospitality industry has seen him oversee restaurant operations at some of London’s most prestigious hotels, including The Savoy, Brown’s Hotel and The Langham. He was once described by ‘Tatler’ magazine as running his restaurants with “uncommon warmth and humour”.
Follow The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant on Twitter at @RibRoomSW1.
