AQA 63336 celebrity answers - Jean-Christophe Novelli

If you're going to have a proper celebrity chef, there's no harm in having gallic charm. Born in Arras, northern France, Jean-Christophe Novelli has been the star of many a restaurant and TV programme. He also has a cookery school in Hertfordshire, and has recently designed a range of frozen meals for Findus. We interrupted his hectic lifestyle to ask him a few, down-to-earth questions, and make a few decisions. Q. Who is Jean-Christophe Novelli? A. Jean-Christophe Novelli is the nation's favourite French chef, was recently honored with a doctorate for his excellence in art. He has appeared on TV shows: X Factor, Battle of the Stars, Alive, Richard & Judy, Saturday cooks and is the creator of the Findus Novelli frozen food range. He also has his own wine range.

Q. What's the meaning of life?
A. Good food, good wine and the love of a beautiful woman and I am very lucky to have all three.

Q. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
A. I always juice some fresh fruit and vegetables for the mornings.

Q. What's the best way to cook an omelette?
A. Omelette Pan, get nice and hot, teaspoon of oil, knob of butter, mix 2 - 3 eggs thoroughly, season with salt/pepper, pour in mix into hot pan, keep folding through, moving the pan, until starting to set on bottom of pan, fold in third and turn out onto a plate.

Q. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
A. Always confit garlic before using it, this removes the acid and mellows the bitter taste.

Q. If you were stuck on a desert island, what three foods or drinks would have with you?
A. This is easy it would be chocolate naturally, vanilla pods & kirsch.

Q. What are the most frequent mistakes budding chefs at your school make?
A. They sometimes lack the confidence to try to express themselves through the cooking.

Q. What's your favorite British ingredient?
A. Loch Fyne Salmon.

Q. What does Findus actually stand for?
A. It came from (F)ruit (Indus)try in 1943 when company was established.

Q. Is it generally better to eat frozen fish than 'fresh' fish?
A. That depends on where it has been sourced, the majority of fish you get on fresh supermarket counters has usually been frozen once on ship to shore, and usually a small fishmonger who fishes daily is a better source.

Q. What are the challenges involved in preparing good quality frozen meals?
A. The biggest challenges we face are sourcing the best ingredients for what we want to create, since starting our relationship with Findus, we have spent a great deal of time and exploration finding suppliers to work with. It can be a very lengthy process, searching for not only the best performing and tasting ingredient, but also finding natural untreated ingredients.

Q. What won't you eat?
A. I will not eat anything that is not made from fresh produce or cooked properly.

Q. Who would win a fight between Keith Floyd and Rick Stein?
A. I have to say Keith as he is my friend and mentor, but don't tell Rick!

Q. What would you be if you weren't a chef?
A. I always wanted to be a footballer.

Q. If you had to choose, would you rather be good in the kitchen, or good in bed?
A. Luckily for me I don't have to choose.

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