Revelations: Liam Dillon, owner, the Boat Inn, Lichfield, Staffordshire
What was your best subject at school?
To be honest, I was very bad at school. I spent the whole time trying to get out of the bottom sets. I think my favourite lesson was business studies
What was your first job?
Paper round, working on a go-kart track and then pot-washing
What do you normally have for breakfast?
Something quick and easy, which tends to be a little fry-up
What do you do to relax?
The rare Tuesday night football game to watch the Villa, get hammered or wander around fancy car showrooms
What is your favourite drink?
Pre-service: frothy coffee and brown sugar; after service: rum and coke
Which ingredient do you hate the most?
Which is your favourite restaurant?
Mine - as I love what we do here. Or any restaurant where there is interaction with the kitchen and where you can have a laugh
What's your favourite hotel?
I'm a Hilton member… mainly for the cookies
Which person in catering have you most admired?
When at college it was Marcus Wareing. I have always admired chefs who give a damn about their team. Tom Sellers and Will Holland are two that I'm still in contact with
Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?
My parents have an incredible work ethic. When I was young my dad used to commute to America. My mum raised me and my sister and also ran her own business
If not yourself, who would you rather have been?
Any F1 driver
Tell us a secret…
I was once very drunk and I tattooed my best mate's name on me and he did the same
What irritates you most about the industry?
The general public
When did you last eat a hamburger?
Last week I had a pretty tough service. I sat in an empty restaurant for a bit, then drove to McDonald's and ate three burgers
Who would play "you" in a film about your life?
James Corden or Tom Hardy
If you had more time, what would you do?
Look after myself more
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