The Steeple Times asks John Paul Murphy, head chef of South Kensington restaurant La Brasserie: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
I have a passion for living.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Live my life to the last breath”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2015?
Bad manners. People are too angry and I hate it. It’s not just 2015; it’s the last five years.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Ireland.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
To be truly happy and I am now.
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?
Most bankers should be jailed.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Usually”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
We should support the mess that is the human race before we support animal charities.
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?
There’s a time and a place and it’s not on public transport. It irritates me so much when people discuss their lives on buses and tubes.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My partner and my son, my mum and my brother, Raymond Blanc and Dennis Bergkamp.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
It would be in Cobh, Cork, Ireland and it would be a filet of beef rosigni with enough foie gras to upset the campaigners.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Breakfast is fine with me.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Tea.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Those given by my friends. They’re relaxed affairs.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My brother.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Fried chicken.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I have a tattoo by my brother of a river snake. I really like that and I also like Celtic design.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
An Audi: I drive one and I think it is fantastic and responsive. I’ve never had an issue with it.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I was brought back to life once. It surprised even me.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
I have a picture of my son when he was 14 weeks inside the womb.
John Paul Murphy was born in Ireland and is the head chef at La Brasserie, 272 Brompton Road, London, SW3 2AW.
Follow him on Twitter at @JohnPaulChef.
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