Meeting Marco 

Marco Pierre White refuses to sit and talk against a backdrop that we thought was edgy and sophisticated. Instead, he leads us away from the hotel, over to the beach and stops.  Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, hosting White, allowed us a chance to interview him at Hikka Tranz in Hikkaduwa, a massive hotel with a stunning view of the ocean that we immediately understood why White led us here. 

So it is against the sunset, over the sound of the waves and on the soft sand of a Hikkaduwa beach we conducted our interview. “This captures Sri Lanka in its essence” he explains and for a quiet moment we observe as a man throws seaweed into the sea to attract a sea turtle to the shore. 

Alas, the sea turtle doesn’t make an appearance so we turn our backs to the sea and began our conversation; 

How are you liking Sri Lanka? 

Beautiful! Without question the most beautiful country I’ve ever been to in my life and I’ve been to most corners of the world. 

What was the most interesting thing you’ve eaten so far? 

The truth is wherever I’ve gone in Sri Lanka I’ve eaten well. Whether it’s in Colombo or whether it’s in Galle, I’ve really eaten well. 

Have you picked up any interesting techniques? 

Well something interesting I’ve seen is the cinnamon actually; the smell, the taste, it’s all very extraordinary and the cardamoms the cloves are also just sensational. And even the chillies because I like hot food! 

You recently held a curated dinner – what was the menu and how was it? 

Well, it was a simple menu. We had a wonderful evening inside of Cinnamon Grand and it was a large area with chandeliers and it was all quite magical – very Alice in Wonderland. 

What inspires you to cook? 

Well I’m a fan of simple work, I don’t like strange ingredients. But wondering around Sri Lanka and seeing those magical ingredients makes you want to cook. You make delicious food. I’ve never been to another country where I ate so well or so consistently. 

Even though you are in French cuisine – are there any Asian ingredients you would like to use? 

Well I love simplicity. I’d love to come back and learn how to use spices. I went to this village where these 6 ladies were cooking lunch. Just watching them pound the chillies, watching them ground the herbs, it’s so simple, so delicious. But that use of spice is what’s so brilliant. They have no scales. Watching the lady just take it into her fingers and drop it in; everything’s in the eye, everything’s in the smell, everything’s in the taste. Very clever ladies! 

What’s your favourite comfort food? 

I like simplicity so when I go home, I’ll be very honest, I like a simple sandwich after a long day with a cup of tea. 

Do you ever listen to music while you cook? 

No. Never. I love the sound of the stove. No talking and no music. 

So what would annoy you the most in the kitchen? 

Lack of discipline and lack of punctuality. By lacking discipline you won’t achieve anything. You have to stay focussed and that’s why I don’t listen to music in the kitchen. Because if you got music then you are listening to the music and you are not doing the job. 

Do you think it’s easier to be a chef now than when you started out thanks to things like MasterChef and more training schools? 

Firstly, there are more jobs now than there was in my age. More restaurants, more hotels.  Today in England a lot of people cook, from the middle class to the uppers so it’s interesting how things have changed. 

Are you different people on TV and in real life? Would you call yourself sterner on TV? 

Well, when you step into a kitchen, let’s be honest, it’s to teach people by leading the way. You don’t teach people by being their friend. When you walk into the kitchen you are there to do a job. My job in MasterChef is to make them look at themselves and see who they are. 

Your advice for beginners? 

Put your career into the hands of a man or a lady who can train you well. 

As we conclude, White insists that his pictures are to be taken against the natural background. Despite the stern persona we often see on TV, White is truly quite friendly and forthcoming in reality. His motto of ‘simplicity’ seeps through the little things; his respect for food, his respect to the nature and his respect to the people and this country is shown vividly through his actions and words. 

Watch Life Online's interview with him below: 

Interviewed by Panchali Illankoon 
Photographs by Nisal Baduge