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As a fan, I can’t help but admire Rick Stein’s resilience and passion for his craft, evident in his 50-year journey in the hospitality industry. His zest for life and work, as he himself puts it, “A busy person is a happy person,” is truly inspiring.

Add Rick Stein’s Food Stories to your watchlist

Prior to our meeting, Rick Stein appeared on Gyles Brandreth’s Rosebud podcast. During this appearance, television host and author Brandreth reminisced about a saying he learned from his high school headmaster, approximately 66 years ago. Brandreth shared that his headmaster told him, “A busy person is a happy person.” Stein, who will be turning 78 in January, echoed this sentiment, stating that as long as one stays active and mentally engaged, happiness can be found. Evidently, Stein continues to pursue his career vigorously.

As a dedicated cinephile looking forward to the upcoming cinematic year, I can’t help but feel excited about the milestone that the esteemed restaurateur and TV chef will be celebrating. This remarkable individual has been a stalwart in the hospitality industry for an impressive half-century! Way back in 1975, he and his former spouse, Jill, opened the doors of The Seafood Restaurant on Padstow quayside in picturesque north Cornwall. Incredibly, this culinary gem continues to thrive today.

Stein mentioned that while they are not planning an immediate reopening, they are actively searching for opportunities. He emphasized that with his sons Jack, Edward, and Charlie, along with managing director Ian Fitzgerald, running the business, he sees no reason to retire because he’s primarily engaged in tasks that he finds most enjoyable. In simpler terms, he prefers to stay away from major decisions and is more focused on ensuring quality and developing new recipes instead.

Over a hundred dishes feature in his latest publication, “Rick Stein’s Food Stories”. This book also marks the start of a prime-time television series that debuted on BBC2 in September. The show highlights contemporary British cuisine and follows Rick Stein as he samples the top gastronomic delights across the UK while interacting with the individuals responsible for the dishes. According to him, this journey serves as a reminder of his continued passion for his work. “I occasionally ponder why I continue writing cookbooks when recipes are easily accessible online,” Stein admits. “However, the reason is that the recipes I provide are either my own creations or those with compelling backstories.

I want to talk to people about what they love and what brings friendship. Food is a leveller

Food, it’s commonly expressed, acts as a unifying force among individuals. In a period where unity is being tested, Stein expresses his hope that the book will contribute to mending Britain’s fractures. “I truly believe so. When discussing food, you’re not discussing harming others. It’s as straightforward as that.

No matter which part of the globe I visit, including my latest journey to Mexico, when discussing food, there’s rarely any mention of negative occurrences happening in Mexico. Instead, it’s more about engaging with people on topics they enjoy and fostering camaraderie. Food serves as a common ground.

In the Stein pipeline, comes a book about Christmas, igniting a discussion between Stein and his wife Sarah Burns (Sas), his second spouse and ex-publicist, aged 57, regarding their end-of-year plans. They typically celebrate Christmases by rotating between Padstow and Sydney, cities where he manages two restaurants. This year, they are in the UK enjoying time with their six grandchildren, including their latest family member, a newborn boy named Dylan, born this summer.

Stein takes pleasure in his role as a grandad. He confesses he can be a bit mischievous, comparing himself to a character from a David Walliams or Roald Dahl tale. “[Once], when my oldest grandchild Hugh was very young, he heard some noises upstairs at our pub, The Cornish Arms, and I said, ‘Oh, well, that’s our ghosts.’ Kate [Stein’s daughter-in-law] got quite annoyed with me! I responded, ‘It’s fun to give children small scares if they are well taken care of.’

Stein’s chuckles persist as he admits that his younger wife maintains his youthfulness. “Absolutely! She teases me mercilessly because I once had an older uncle named Charlie who grew a bit dull and set in his ways towards the end of his life. Now, whenever I say something dull, she retorts, ‘Alright, Charlie. Everything alright?’

Indeed, everything hasn’t always been perfect in Stein’s life. When Stein was a teenager, his father Eric, who had recently retired and was struggling with manic episodes due to bipolar disorder, tragically jumped off a cliff near their holiday home on the Cornish coast. At one point, Stein and the rest of his family were concerned that the condition might be inherited, but thankfully, it doesn’t appear to have been passed down. Later in the conversation, Stein shifts the topic to his own health, mentioning a heart operation he underwent two years ago to replace an aortic valve. He had been experiencing breathlessness for quite some time and was informed by doctors that without the surgery, he would not have survived.

Stein’s lifestyle has remained largely unaltered post-surgery due to his inherently healthy nature: “I practically swim daily and walk a lot.” Does he ever tune in to his own broadcasts? Stein confesses, “I find them enjoyable when they air,” having debuted on the BBC in 1995. “It’s quite gratifying when you’ve invested so much effort into something. Sas occasionally catches glimpses of my old shows, and with her Aussie charm, she remarks, ‘You’re not bad, are you?’ That’s the only praise I require!

2024-10-22 20:04

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