Jean-Christophe Novelli: I love Liverpool, it’s got a big place in my heart

May 13 2008 by Debra Greenhouse, Liverpool Daily Post

Jean-Christophe Novelli, Michelin and 5AA Rosette award winning French chef _320

Home then was Arras, northern France, a town which suffered terribly in both world wars. In World War I, defending troops lived in tunnels constantly bombarded by enemy shelling. World War II saw Arras again on the frontline, scene of a momentous battle between allies and German forces.

“Even as I was growing up, these events were never forgotten. We had great respect for Britain, intensifying my wish to work here.”

On a lighter note he adds the allure of British music also attracted him.

“The Beatles, of course, but more in my generation was The Police. When I heard Message in a Bottle on the radio I thought ‘oh my God’, so different to anything we heard before in France. French music was depressing, terrible.

“In those days three things interested me: football, music and chasing girls,” he laughs.

His chasing days over, he is happily settled and engaged to girlfriend Michelle, with whom he is expecting a baby at the end of August. They plan to marry in 2009.

Today home is a 14th century farmhouse in Hertfordshire, part of which he converted to accommodate his cookery school, the Novelli Academy, which he’s delighted to reveal is thriving, having helped him turn round money worries of recent years.

“It’s not all been easy, there’ve been difficult times, but the key is to learn from mistakes, to be positive. There is good and bad in all parts of life – like my cookery school, it’s on the flightpath to Luton airport. Some would see that as bad, but the good thing is people fly from round world to come here, from America, Dubai, Cyprus, Germany, Ireland.”

With new book, Everyday Novelli, flying off the shelves, and TV work lined up including regular appearances on Ant & Dec Saturday Night Takeaway and The Richard and Judy Show, good times have definitely returned for Jean-Christophe.

And that’s also got to be good for eager fans snapping up tickets to see the red hot chef in action at North West Home and Garden Show on May 17 and 18.

* SHOW tickets £4 in advance, £7 at the door, tel: 0844 800 3680, www.homesandgardensnorthwest.co.uk