Revelations: Manish Patel, head chef, Indus Park Regis, Birmingham

We delve into the life and inner thoughts of a top chef. This week: Manish Patel, head chef, Indus Park Regis, Birmingham

What was your best subject at school?

Mathematics

What do you normally have for breakfast?

Indian tea and paratha

What is your favourite food/cuisine?

Indian food, plain rice and yellow lentils

What flavour combinations do you detest?

I try to avoid Asian fusion with European

What do you always carry with you?

I have one old coin and always carry it with me

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

Bennet Manoharan, my teacher from hotel school. He made me realise that I could be a chef

Cast away on a desert island, what luxury would you take?

Just water. I would try to adapt to life there

If not yourself, who would you rather have been?

I am quite happy being myself

If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?

I wanted to be a teacher but that didn't happen so here I am. Though I have no regrets

Describe your ultimate nightmare?

I am always scared of being late to work

When and where was your last holiday?

I went to India in March this year.

What irritates you most about the industry?

There isn't enough recognition for chefs

When did you last eat a hamburger?

Never

What's your favourite film?

Swadesh – it's an Indian film

Who would play you in a film about your life?

I would love to see Rajkumar Rao playing my role. He is a genius actor

What's your favourite book?

Panchatantra, it's an ancient story book that gives a good life lesson