The daily habits of successful people: Chef Luke Mangan
WHEN he's not flying around the world checking on his 12 restaurants and bars, you'll find Luke Mangan unwinding at home with a steak on the barbie. The celebrity chef talks to news.com.au about his everyday life.
PEEK inside the everyday life of celebrity chef Luke Mangan. When he's not flying around the world checking on his 12 restaurants and bars, you'll find him unwinding at home with a steak on the barbecue or mowing his lawn.
What's the first thing you do when you wake up?
Check my emails. I have a home office and I like to get to my emails before I head into the office for the day.
What's your favourite weekend ritual?
I've got a place down at Kangaroo Valley and I love it there. I just turn up and do absolutely nothing. Maybe read. I don't get down there much, but when I do, it's great.
What's one piece of old school etiquette that you'd like to revive?
The simple thank you. How many restaurants do you leave and realise that nobody has made eye contact with you, or even said hello or thank you for coming? It's so easy to ignore people. Saying thank you makes all the difference. I write thank you notes to customers who give us good feedback and I ring people who make complaints.
What do you cook at home?
Steak or fish on the barbecue and some green beans, like runner beans with a pinch of sea salt and olive oil.
Do you wear an apron when you're cooking?
Ha, no!
Daggiest piece of clothing you own/are still holding onto?
It's a University of Amsterdam T-shirt that I bought there in 1992. I was living in London at the time and I went over there for a weekend after months of working non-stop. I still have it and I still wear it - even though it's covered with holes - but just at home.
Most coveted household item
My barbecue which is an Electrolux and my lawnmower, which is a Victa, of course. I really enjoy cutting my lawn.
What would you find inside your ideal mini bar?
Gordon's Gin, toffee popcorn and Maltesers.
According to Anthony Bourdain you're a pretty keen drinker – what's your never fail hangover cure?
Ah yes, I don't mind a drink. The only real way to recover is have another drink! That, and a good fry up.
Do you use an iPad? What's your favourite app?
Yep I've just changed from a Blackberry to and iPhone and I've got an iPad. I really like it, especially what you can do with photos and Instagram. I think my favourite app is the new one I got called Uber. It tracks your distance from a black limo/hire car, kind of a like a taxi service. It's good.
Do you read books?
I like to read but it's all about how much time I have. On the weekends I'll buy the paper but when I travel I like to read a book, 'cause I have more time.
How do you keep balanced and healthy?
I play golf - not well. And I try and run. I hate it, but I have to do it to keep the weight off.
When you're at the food markets where do you head first?
I don't have a plan. I don't get there as much as I used too though. I kind of arrive and like to just check out everything that's happening, just walk around and absorb it.
Follow Luke on Twitter: @LukeMangan