The Steeple Times asks chef Chris Rabout: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
“If you’re not first, you’re last”.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
If I did have a motto, it would be: “Hold on and be strong”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
The scandals around Jimmy Savile. It just keeps on going on and on.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss my girl.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
A stable family.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
Every single bank offers nothing to the average man. They are a joke.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
The “c-word”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
For me, charity does start at home but I like best to do a good deed for a day. I have befriended a number of homeless people on my way home from work but sadly there is only so much you can do.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Life is as not as hectic as it was when we didn’t have mobile phones. The £1 phone is making a comeback and I can see why.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Gabriel Batistua, Bruce Lee, my granddad and the granddad I never met and my auntie, Monica.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
My last meal would be crab and avocado with goats cheese followed by a seafood platter for four (just for me) and then a chocolate fondant with honeycomb ice cream.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Anytime.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of tea.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My own because there are no rules.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My little sister.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
My magic cigarette after work.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
The one I have on my back now: “Laugh now, cry later”.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
An Audi R8. I do hope to get one at one stage in my life.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
Other than being a chef, I’m a good house husband. I can clean, sew, wash and iron. I thank my mum for that.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
My teddy bear from Austria from when I was a kid. His name is Pilot.
Chris Rabout is a chef who has worked at both The Admiral Codrington and Eighty-Six in Chelsea. He moves to The Hut in Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight this week.
The Hut, Colwell Chine Road, Colwell Bay, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, PO40 9NP. Telephone: +44 (0) 1983 898637. Website: http://www.thehutcolwell.co.uk