My West London Life

Will Fox-Staeton

Will Fox-Staeton

April
24

The endearingly self-deprecating Will Fox-Staeton has worked in many fields. Art and food are his current preferences, although, having met him, I’m pretty sure he could turn his hand to anything

Which wine?

It’s a beautiful sunny evening in a west London garden, so rosé.

What’s the concept behind Notting Will’s Kitchen?

It’s a supper club for people who want to meet interesting people. I love entertaining, cooking and bringing different characters together. It started as a way of introducing my friends to people (with an interesting story) I’d met in the neighbourhood, and grew from there.

Your new venture is The Portobello Supper Company – how does this differ from Notting Will’s Kitchen?

It’s not held at my flat for a start! My kitchen is all about bringing people together who’ve never previously met. The Portobello Supper Company caters for dinner parties around the Hill. My business partner (and upstairs neighbour) Andy and I aim to create a commercially and environmentally sustainable way of preserving market life. The menu is French, and all produce comes from Portobello – both ventures are from the Hill, for the Hill.

Why Notting Will? Would you describe yourself as a Notting Hill stalwart?

Certainly! I’ve lived in London for six years, and have never encountered a place with such fun, party-loving, eclectic residents. There’s a happy, non-judgemental vibe here – the perfect urban village (if that’s not too much of a cliché).

What is the strangest date you’ve been on?

I had a really heavy night and felt rather anxious, so popped a Valium beforehand, then had my credit card declined and ran the best part of a mile in search of a cashpoint. I was drenched with sweat, mortified and resembled a Persian cat thrown into a pond.

Another interesting encounter involved an Aussie chap who’d booked theatre tickets but failed to research the production beforehand. The plot revolved around a gay couple who’d contracted AIDS and subsequently died – there were papier-mâché skeletons leaping about as we sat in awkward silence.

You headed up GGGallery for years – what happened with that?

It’s now called Exhibitionist, and I’m coming back for the summer – it’s the best time to be there. I’m looking forward to art in the day, and cooking at night.

How do you relax?

I’m fascinated by interior design and retro music, and can often be found rummaging through Portobello’s wonderfully disparate stalls. In summer, Hyde Park is close enough for a walk along the Serpentine to feed ducks, look at trees and dodge tourists.

Do you have a favourite west London hangout?

L’epicerie on Portobello Road. I work from home and crave company in the afternoon.

Where’s your favourite place to eat in the hood?

Upstairs. My neighbour Andy cooks better food than any of the chefs on the Lane [Portobello Road].

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

Here, especially in summer. An English winter is dreary, though, however colourful one’s surroundings. Can I take Mustique from November to February?

Who has been your most interesting supper guest?

Notting Hill photographer Carol Latimer. She’s shot everyone from John Lennon to Katherine Hepburn to Hugh Grant. Her insights were fascinating. Another favourite is a close personal friend of mine. He spent time in San Quentin – a notorious Californian state prison, rife with Bloods & Crips gangsters; he’s christened me with the gangster name Lil’ Twygs. With a ‘y’.

Where did you grow up and what do you miss most?

I grew up in Cornwall, and miss the beaches terribly! When I was 16, my family moved from Falmouth to Nova Scotia, so I had always lived by the coast until moving to London six years ago.

Did your life change much after Basic Instinct?

Haha! …and you’re not Annabel Croft? 

You’re a little obsessed with the 1970s – how did this come about?

I missed the ’70s, having been born in 1983, but grew up on reruns of The Good Life, plus Abigail’s Party certainly helped!

If you had to choose a way to die, how would you go?

Oh gosh. I’d be having sex with Christian Bale, before realising he was the eponymous American Psycho. It might almost be worth being chased through a 1980s Upper East Side apartment block with a chainsaw! On that note, I have to return some videos.

Would you describe yourself as a martyr to hedonism?

Martyr is the not the word I’d use! Much as I enjoy all things hedonistic, I like to think that I have my head screwed on, all (or perhaps most of) the time.

‘Will, that’s neat again’ (as he swigs 1970s gin). (Guffaws) ‘Oh gosh, yes it is’.

What makes you anxious?

When someone makes a ‘funny’ remark, and follows it up with a high-five. I have a morbid terror of missing their hand and falling flat on my face. I was a fat kid who was never picked for PE. I still can’t bring myself to wear sportswear in public.

Who are your idols?

Margot Leadbetter, Keith Floyd, Martha Stewart, Jane Fonda.

You’re very sartorially astute. What is your approach to style?

I see life as a film or TV show, and fashion my costumes for the scene accordingly.

Waxing. Back, sack and crack – what’s your take?

The only thing I wax is my Barbour.

Sum yourself up in three words.

Up for anything.

Notting Will’s Kitchen; www.nottingwill.com; will@nottingwill.com; 079 2655 0425

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