Even if you don’t consider yourself a foodie, you’ve probably heard of the triple Michelin-starred British restaurant, The Fat Duck. It is helmed by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, who has just won the prestigious 2017 Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award, joining the ranks of elite international chefs like Alain Ducasse and Jöel Robuchon.
“For me, this award is particularly special because it’s voted by my peers. After 20 years of The Fat Duck, I now feel like I’m just starting – and those 20 years were my apprenticeship. The future is very, very exciting,” he says.
While he hasn’t opened a restaurant here yet (fingers crossed!), here are 10 things you should know about this extraordinary kitchen master:
READ MORE:
Did Your Favourite Singapore Eateries Make It Into Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants List?
10 Cheap Eats Approved By The Michelin Guide Inspectors
Singapore Chefs Share Their Precious Recipes Of Their Favourite Local Dishes
Besides a two-week stint at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, a top restaurant in the UK, the gastronomical genius is largely self-taught. He developed his incredibly creative cooking skills by investigating and experimenting with different methods and ingredients. Talk about natural talent!
Queen Elizabeth II specially requested for Chef Heston’s dishes to be served at her Diamond Jubilee celebrations. He collaborated with royal chef Mark Flanagan to create a uniquely British menu, including chilled country garden soup, tea smoked Scottish salmon and, of course, Coronation chicken.
Chef Heston balanced science, technical skill (some would say wizardry) with an artistic imagination and a good dose of humour to give patrons a hyper-experimental dining experience.
Possibly his most famous creation to date, this mind-tripping dessert looks like a savoury breakfast but is actually made of ice cream and candied bacon.
READ MORE: 10 Dessert Cafes For Every Dessert In Singapore
Photo: Pinterest
Three were awarded to him in 1999, 2002 and 2004, and the other three stars were awarded to his famed restaurant, The Fat Duck.
In addition to the lifetime achievement award, the maverick chef has received honorary degrees from universities in Reading, Bristol and London for his work in gastronomy and science. He’s also obtained a fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Ever wished for your kid to become a culinary pro like Chef Heston? He’s written a cookbook for children, titled Family Food: A New Approach to Cooking, that encourages young ones to cook alongside their parents.
(Psst… don’t be fooled by the youthful-looking cereal boxes above, they’re part of The Fat Duck’s gastronomy menu)
Over the last ten years, Chef Heston has also made a name for himself on the television with shows like Heston’s Feasts and Heston’s Fantastical Food. He was also a guest judge on last year’s MasterChef Australia!
Had he not failed his O-Level science exam, Chef Heston might be known today as a famous architect. But we’re glad he decided to pursue the culinary life!
At age 20, Heston was a wine collector and owned about 500 bottles. In 1995, he had to sell them in order to fund The Fat Duck (pictured). A sacrifice that paid off in the end!
READ MORE:
These Miniature Dessert Worlds Created By Italian Pastry Chef Matteo Stucchi On Instagram Will Amaze You
10 New Restaurants To Visit This March
The Complete List of Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Singapore
Photo: Worlds50Best