Revelations: Valentina Fois, founder and head chef, Lele's Bakery

We delve into the life and inner thoughts of a top chef. This week: Valentina Fois, founder and head chef, Lele's Bakery

What was your best subject at school?

History and art

What was your first job?

Um, I think babysitting

What was your first job in catering?

Waitering

What do you normally have for breakfast?

A smoothie and a coffee

What do you do to relax?

Long walks and reading

Which is your favourite restaurant?

Bistrotheque in London

What's your favourite hotel?

Hotel Pellicano in Tuscany, Italy

What is your favourite cuisine?

Japanese

Are there any foods/ingredients that you refuse to cook with?

Onion and garlic, I am intolerant, so I had to eliminate them from my diet

What do you always carry with you?

A picture of my dog

Which person in catering have you most admired?

All kitchen porters, they work way too hard and they earn way too little

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

My dad and grandmother

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

French fries – or someone to make me French fries all day every day

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

I used to be a contemporary art curator, so probably that

Describe your ultimate nightmare?

Turbulence on a plane

Tell us a secret...

I can't actually cook

What irritates you most about the industry?

Misogyny

Who would be in your "fantasy" brigade?

My dog – he would cook beautiful meals; my besties Esther and Dominic, to entertain the clients; and my pal Karolina, who will take the blame if something goes wrong