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'The sex drive is linked to ambition and creativity… I am lucky to be a very creative man': Under the microscope with Raymond Blanc
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UPDATED:
03:21 GMT, 10 July 2012
The chef, 63, on what keeps him awake at night, how he gets into shape and why plastic surgery isn't for him
'My woman loves me so, no, I don't have any plans to go under the knife,' said Raymond Blanc
CAN YOU RUN UP STAIRS
Yes I can, I have run marathons — but I’d never advise you to run down the stairs. Two years ago, I ran down stairs in leather slippers. I slid and broke my leg in six places. Happily, I can run again and, today, I’ll be carrying the Olympic Flame. I am one of several chefs given this great honour.
EVER DIETED
I don’t diet. I hate that word. But when I do the TV series The Hungry Frenchman and enjoy too much good food all over France, the kilos pile on. To get back in shape, I cut down on carbohydrates. I’m 5ft 7in and am a perfect weight — 74 kilos (11 st).
BIGGEST VICE
So many vices, but a major one is eating too many chocolate eclairs.
SLEEP WELL
I take too much on. I lie in bed thinking of deadlines. I sometimes take a sleeping pill, but not often as they can be addictive. I go to bed at midnight and get up at 6am: a usual timetable for a busy restaurateur.
WOULD YOU HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY
My public likes me, my team loves me, my woman loves me so, no, I don’t have any plans to go under the knife.
IS SEX IMPORTANT
The sex drive is linked to ambition and creativity — the more creative you are the more sex you want. I am lucky to be a very creative man. I let you guess the rest.
WORST ILLNESS
I had terrible migraines — I had my first aged seven. You feel sick and can’t see properly, you can’t even speak. My worst migraines came from a bad marriage, and since I divorced they have almost disappeared.
HAD ANYTHING REMOVED
My tonsils when I was eight. I nearly died. I was choking on blood running into my lungs and woke up towards the end of the operation. It was rough.
'The sex drive is linked to ambition and creativity – the more creative you are the more sex you want,' said Raymond
COPE WITH PAIN
The only way to cope is to have a good nurse beside you.
ANY FAMILY AILMENTS
I am very lucky. My great-grandparents lived until they were 100, my grandparents lived until their 90s and my parents are 90 and almost 91.
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
A long time ago, I was so stressed I had liver problems and nervous rashes. I found a herbalist in the Cotswolds who treated me with bark. It was disgusting, but it cleaned up my liver and I never had problems again.
HANGOVER CURE
I’m a two glasses of wine man. I don’t overdo it. On special occasions, if I’ve had too much, my cure is good food — full of carbohydrates — and water.
LIKE TO LIVE FOR EVER
As long as possible and in good health, but no, not for ever. Everything on Earth has a natural cycle, whether it’s plants or human beings.
Raymond Blanc has designed a Food, Body And Mind cookery course. For more information, visit manoir.com.