My West London Life

Tim Allen

November
27

Tim Allen, head chef at Kensington’s Michelin starred restaurant Launceston Place on food faux pas and west Yorkshire versus west London

How would you describe the food you make?

Honest; using the best products I can buy for the money we charge, handled in a respectful fashion.

Have you ever accidentally made a faux pas rather than a taste sensation?

There’s been a few! Salted peanut risotto and roasted cucumber – proper dodgy.

How do you go about sourcing great British produce?

I’ve worked with suppliers for years and know the producers/growers. There are chefs in London who claim they are unique in what they buy and experts in products, but at the end of the day, experience and longevity counts for a lot.

From west Yorkhire to west London: how does life in Kensington compare?

Completely different. Much higher paced and demands even more of my time at work. Launceston Place is in a great location so that helps a lot. People in Yorkshire are nicer, though!

Does your upbringing influence your work? If so, how?

Yes – I was brought up to graft, and that’s what I do.

You spent seven successful years at two Michelin-starred Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds, why did you decide to leave?

It was time to do it for myself.

Where would you go for a bite to eat with friends?

I tend to go the coast and eat oysters.

Who is the most inspirational chef you have worked with, and what did you learn from them?

Martin Burge and Daniel Clifford. Martin for his patience and manner in the kitchen and his discipline. Daniel for his creativity, passion and sheer determination.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Snickers ice cream.

www.launcestonplace-restaurant.co.uk

Laura Robson

December
4

Wimbledon winner Laura Robson on her dog Winnie, weekends in the Cotswolds, TV work, and running by the river

How old were you when you discovered tennis? Did you love it immediately?

I discovered tennis at the age of four or five because my family played doubles, and I am one of three children. I’m the youngest so had to pick up the balls but if I did a good job with that I got to play for 10 minutes at the end with my mum.… Read more →

Mica Paris

October
14

The legendary Mica Paris MBE on her role in the brand new West End musical, Little Piece of You: An Atypical Musical in Concert

Tell us about the new West End show, Little Piece of You: An Atypical Musical in Concert. What is the show about?

This groundbreaking production intertwines raw family drama with the dynamic pulse of modern rock and pop. Audiences follow Shannon and Britt, a courageous mother and daughter, as they confront… Read more →