My Secret Life - Jean Christophe Novelli

The sexy chef's biggest fear is losing his hair

Monday, 14 April 2008

I have two homes, in Austria and Tea Green in Hertfordshire, where my academy is. I work seven days a week, so I love to escape to Austria with my fiancée Michelle [Kennedy, 31].

The book that changed my life was How To Learn English In Three Months. I couldn’t speak a word when I came here 25 years ago.

My philosophy is to never give up and always stay positive.

I’d be lost without my iPod. And my dogs – I have 12 Dobermans and Alsatians and they’re my little babies.

I can be too generous – I always want to be liked. And I think too much about things other people wouldn’t worry about.

My most memorable moments were the birth of my daughter Christina [20, from a previous marriage] and getting my first Michelin star.

The last time I told a lie was when I was 10. I said I was 16 and pretended to be Mick Jagger’s son to get my first kiss.

I don’t believe in heroes, but I admire people who take risks.

I went to work at 14 as a baker in my home town of Arras in northern France.

My biggest influence has been my friend Keith Floyd. He changed my life when he gave me my first job in England.

My most treasured possession is a clock made by one of the great Austrian masters in 1810.

The only time I found myself speechless was when I appeared on The X Factor:

On TV I’m addicted to Columbo and I love Michael Palin’s programmes.

I’d love to have met the French chef Alexis Soyer. He worked with Florence Nightingale, advising on food for the hospitals during the Crimean War.

When I want to get away from it all and get fit, I put on my trainers, grab my ipod and go for a run, listening to Tears For Fears or Pink Floyd.

I don’t wear aftershave – I just have a wash.

Films are a bit like food- they depend on your mood. I loved The Deer Hunter.

My biggest fear is losing my hair.

By Karen Cross

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