Chef Richard Corrigan reveals his favourite London spots, biggest extravagance and £12k watch

Irish chef Richard Corrigan has made London his home, but his heart remains split between Muswell Hill and his country retreat in County Cavan. From his first job in a Knightsbridge hotel kitchen to spending £12,000 on a vintage watch on Bond Street, the restaurateur has spent decades building a life in the capital.The chef, behind some of London's best-known restaurants, including Bentley's and Corrigan's Mayfair, shares his favourite spots in the city, the meal that changed his career and why he thinks everyone should be able to travel around London for free.The chef is behind some of London's best-known restaurantsDavid McClellandHe also reveals his first-date recommendation, the London club scene he once called home and his rather colourful opinion of the Irish spice bag.Home is…Muswell Hill. But I also spend time at my country house, Virginia Park Lodge, in Cavan, Ireland.Where do you stay in London?At home. But if I stay at a hotel, I like Claridge’s — it’s very friendly. Big hotels can be intimidating. Claridge’s is welcoming.Where was your first flat?In Crouch End. It was cool then and I think it’s still cool now. It was a simple place — one bed. A box-room flat. I paid through the nose for it.Corrigan’s ‘best meal’ he’s ever had was at Le GavrochePress Handout What was your first job here?At the Park Tower in Knightsbridge. It was a great way to settle in. I’d been in Amsterdam for a long while and this was my way into London. It was a typical hotel kitchen, but it wasn’t as rough as a lot of kitchens back then. We could go home at 2am. The head chef was decent and taught me a lot.Where would you recommend for a first date?The French House, upstairs. It’s a small dining room; you get to know a person very quickly.What’s the best meal you’ve had?Le Gavroche. I took my wife 40 years ago. We had no money, really. We took the Tube in and the night bus back. We had no milk in the fridge. But I spent everything I had on that meal. It inspired me, it taught me so much. It’s about investing in people. Albert Roux was a wonderful chef. Later on he told Rowley Leigh that if Richard Corrigan “cooked a shoe, I’d eat it”. That was good to hear.“My biggest extravgance? I was walking down Bond Street on my 50th birthday and I saw a Breguet watch. I spent £12,000 on it”What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?I’d provide free transport for everyone. We need to get people into the city centre. We need to incentivise them. Bring people out.Who is the most iconic Londoner?Well, when I was a child, I read a book about Dick Whittington. He came to London thinking the streets were paved with gold. I can relate to that. Read MoreYou have to work hard to see success.What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?Where’s my tip? After spending £120.Corrigan reveals his favourite London secret is sitting near Alexandra Palace with his family on a summer’s dayPress handoutHave you ever had a run-in with a London police officer?Oh yes, I was doing 40mph in a 20mph zone on my little scooter the other day. God knows what will happen there.Where do you let your hair down?Not for some time now, but I used to go to the Groucho, the Colony Room Club and Gerry’s. The holy trinity.What’s your biggest extravagance?I was walking down Bond Street once, on my 50th birthday, and I saw a second-hand Breguet watch, hardly worn. I spent £12,000 on it.What’s your London secret?Alexandra Palace, but not the actual place. Sitting nearby in the summertime. With my family. I’m very glad to live near there.What are you up to for work?My restaurants. They keep me busy. Bentley’s, Corrigan’s Mayfair, Daffodil Mulligan. I keep an eye on what’s going on.Chef Richard CorriganPress handoutWho’s your hero?Albert Roux. A great chef.What do you collect?Books. I have a lot of books. I’m sentimental about Adrian Gill’s book, Pour Me: A Life. When I had Lindsay House, we were a week away from closing. He came and wrote the now famous phrase, “run, don’t walk” to my restaurant. When he came back, I picked him up, threw him over my shoulder, and ran him to his table. I banged his head on the ceiling. He saved my bacon.What’s your favourite work of art?A Stubbs painting of a horse on the back wall of the National Gallery. I enjoy classical works. I’ve seen Frieze. I prefer old magic.The last thing you googled?Oh, 18th-century cheese pots.And the last thing you cooked?Two pheasant breasts with mashed potato and cabbage.What ingredients can’t you live without?Maldon sea salt and Colman’s English mustard. I don’t want any of that French shite.Any favourite shops in town?Audio Gold. A vintage record store in Muswell Hill. It’s a community shop.Finally, what do you think of spice bags?They were invented for people who don’t enjoy anything in their life, I mean really. I’d rather pour gasoline down my throat.