Fred Sirieix shot to fame as the smooth maître d’ on the Channel 4 reality show First Dates. He has presented shows including Million Pound Menu, Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip, Remarkable Places to Eat, and the travelogue series Tour de Fred, and authored the books Seriously British, Wine Uncorked and First Dates: The Art of Love.
Originally from Limoges, France, Sirieix cut his teeth in a number of top restaurants before becoming general manager of Michelin-starred Galvin at Windows. His charity, The Right Course, which teaches hospitality skills to prisoners, is opening restaurants in three prisons this year. He lives in London with his wife, affectionately nicknamed “Fruitcake”.
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What’s the last treat you bought for yourself?
A Hampton greenhouse – it’s the Rolls-Royce of greenhouses. It’s being finished right now. I’m really excited about it. My first attempt at propagation failed miserably, but I’m growing courgettes, tomatoes, thyme, watermelon … you name it.
Causeway greenhouse
£40,300 at Hampton***
Where do you buy your food from?
Local shops I’ve been going to for years in south London: William Rose butchers in East Dulwich, Beaumont fruit and veg shop, and FC Soper fishmonger, both in Nunhead. It’s nice to buy stuff from people you know, where you know the quality.
Visit F C Soper Fishmonger Visit William Rose Butchers***
What’s the best present you’ve given?
My wife’s engagement ring – it’s big, it’s prominent on the finger, it’s beautiful. She picked it herself, which I think is the key to making a woman happy with an engagement ring.
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… and the best present you’ve received?
A book given to me two Christmases ago by my wife and son, full of pictures of them.
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What’s your favourite online store?
Amazon – it’s very practical; you can be sitting here, order what you want, and it comes the next day.
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What’s your favourite bricks-and-mortar shop?
Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, London. I last bought a bottle of Krug there for someone as a gift – they’ll mail it anywhere in the world for you.
Shop wine at Hedonism***
What’s the gadget you use most often?
At the moment, my Niwaki secateurs to deadhead roses.
Niwaki GR Pro secateurs
£90 at Burford From £80 at NiwakiFor more, read the Filter’s guide to the best secateurs
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What’s the purchase you regret the most?
I bought a big, beautiful brown leather sofa. I won’t name the brand, but it’s the most uncomfortable thing, and it has just collapsed on itself. C’est la vie.
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What’s the thing(s) you get delivered?
Everything other than food. I like to touch my tomatoes before I buy them or talk to the butcher about the meat.
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Where do you buy your underwear?
My wife, “Fruitcake”, buys them for me from Calvin Klein or Hugo Boss.
Shop men’s underwear at Hugo Boss Shop men’s underwear at Calvin Klein***
What would you buy with £20?
In London, two pints of Guinness.
… and £200?
A very nice bottle of Burgundy.
Nuits St Georges Clos des Forets St Georges Arlot 2008
£200 at Hedonism***
What’s your ‘saved search’ on eBay/Vinted?
“Marvel superhero cards.” My son loves them.
Shop Marvel trading cards on eBay***
What item do you buy on repeat?
La Roche-Posay Lipikar moisturising cream. I wasn’t taught to moisturise as a boy but my wife got me into it and my skin feels so different – this stuff is by far the best.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar moisturiser
£25.50 at Boots £25 at LookfantasticFor more, read the Filter’s guide to the best moisturisers
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How do you make your coffee at home?
My L’Or coffee machine. I add the capsule, I press – et voilà.
L’Or Barista Sublime
£69.99 at Amazon £74.99 at Lorespresso***
What’s your biggest splurge?
Food – big turbots at the market, dover sole or fillet steak.
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And what everyday item do you scrimp on?
Everything! And if I can barter, I do. If it’s not the right price, you have to be prepared to walk away. We don’t need anything other than water, fresh air, love and food.
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And what’s your greatest vintage find?
A 1960s Perfecto leather jacket I found at a vintage shop in France.
Perfecto by Schott NYC Harley-Davidson leather jacket
£260 at OxfamFor more, read How I shop with Rosie Jones and David Gandy
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