Marco Pierre White: I've had to evolve

With a 20-strong stable of restaurants, pubs and inns Marco Pierre White has gone from Britain's first three Michelin-starred chef to celebrated businessman.
The celebrity chef who once famously disregarded the world of Michelin-starred fine dining to 'reinvent himself', now operates brands such as Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse & Grill, Frankie & Benny's and Wheeler's amongst many others.
"It was the most fabulous journey but we have to evolve and move on," he says. "Now I look at things differently and do things I enjoy. My menus are created so everyone can afford them and that's the bit that didn't sit well with me at three star level."
Speaking with BigHospitality's Becky Paskin, White explains why he doesn't miss the world of Michelin, his notorious decision to link up with Bernard Matthews, and why his fondness for gardening is perhaps a sign of him 'getting old'.

[@evvignes]

It's like listening to Yoda, I was waiting for him to levitate.

[@Jsuarez6]

Cook or cook not, there is no try.

[@v4v819]

But, what if he's Darth Vader...

[@evvignes]

@@v4v819, Vader was proficient in the 7 Traditional Forms of Lightsaber Combat, so he probably excelled at chopping vegetables and was definitely an expert butcher. However, Marco would have defeated him on Iron Chef.

[@v4v819]

@@evvignes That's like saying Ramsay would be an instant Master Samurai off his cooking skills, and Bruce Lee would be an automatic chef because he can karate chop...

[@MatosoFlawless]

so accurate !!

[@danielhannay5841]

He won 3 Michelin stars and was the youngest British chef to do he can do whatever the fuck he wants! He's a culinary genius and like the Roux in the 70's he carved the way for success for so many chefs in the 80's early 90's! If he wants to retire and sell stock cubes then he's certainly fucking earned it!

[@tromboneman4517]

He may be able to do whatever the f he wants, but he doesn’t. Probably why he’s still successful.

[@RDomi]

"Trust me when I say this. There is nothing simple about being behind a stove. It's highly complex, very tiring and you are under enormous pressure." -MPW On behalf of every cook, well said Marco.

[@TheRealPDizzle]

And it’s oppressively hot. It surprises me how many people don’t grasp this.

[@PACCBETI]

@@TheRealPDizzle The amount of stress behind the stove during peak is insane, i couldnt handle it myself when there was 80 person a la carte

[@hillehai]

Everything this narcissist says is in service to his own ego. Stop being so blind.

[@teapotdome]

Amen. as a saute chef of 20 years so far I can say the hardest thing is consistency. it is incredibly overlooked how difficult it is to make something exactly the same for the course of 20 years in such a chaotic fast paced sweltering hot environment. it is human nature to seek out a short cut. develop bad habits. etc. the discipline is where half of the stress comes from. when you're selling a plate for $30, the customer will tell you if it is not up to par.

[@J.Simons]

@@hillehaiHe’s 100% describing the work as a chef and further more a Michelin star chef. You’d cry yourself to sleep if you had worked in his kitchen for a day

[@wreckanchor]

This man is a genius. I would pay to hear him explain how to boil an egg..

[@robertgash4555]

You put it in boiling water. It's ok you can have that for free.

[@Vesciroth]

Don't forget the Knorr chicken stock pot!

[@wreckanchor]

See now my reply wasn't even to you Robert Gash. My reply was to someone who said "Well you know what they say about a fool & his money". That comment has been deleted by whoever posted it. But you have a nice day now.

[@pauldellmenorca]

YOU NEED TO ADD SALT TO THE WATER.......If not, well peeling them would be a nightmare!!!

[@rdu239]

I would love to hear him explain the good things about Knorr stockpots and cubes

[@failuretocommunicate8690]

I have to admit that until recently I thought of him as a jerk and buffoon. I was wrong. He's a tortured genius who has found at long last his place in the world. If he's finally happy, then God bless him. He's a great man by any measure.

[@Zachary_Sweis]

Now what we have here....is a failure to COMMUNICATE!

[@MrHeroicDemon]

Takes a child to judge, takes a adult to change their opinion. Shows maturity. I've changed my views on people I disliked recently too. It's a nice experience, and the people I dislike or like, is the attitude and maturity level they bring.

[@looksirdroids9134]

He is a conservative, which means that he is a jerk.

[@tomhidley6763]

@@looksirdroids9134 Aye! Well said.

[@Mean_Jean]

@@looksirdroids9134 How so

[@247drycleaners9]

Part of his genius is his ability to communicate in such a clear, concise and soothing manner. He's a born teacher.

[@jonathanliddane4144]

He's an absolute idiot trying to sound smarter than he is.

[@appleshampew]

He made his money, now he just does what he enjoys. He doesn't need anyone's approval except himself. What a legend.

[@Tossphate]

what he said about good quality accessible affordable country pub culture vs 3 star elite experience was spot on.

[@Devofone]

Dosent translate to reality though his pubs are abysmal and he has ruined several small local spots, in replacing them his own brand "gastropubs"were abject failures some shutting down within a matter of weeks.

[@jeffward1106]

Marco hasn't sold out to anyone. Knorr video are informative and awesome

[@stitcha123]

Jeff Ward is Marco stood behind you.

[@learn2farm509]

yeah people like gordan have sold out much much more.. his knorr videos are the best cooking videos ive ever fucking seen

[@stephenstrang590]

We all know this, its just a running gag, that really never gets old.

[@user-KD6-3.7]

the funniest thing to happen to me was watching my granny secretly putting a stock cube(not knorr's, but a stock cube nontheless) in a stew. she told me that it gave the stew a completely different flavour, and she also told me to keep it as a secret lol

[@LeongGunners]

Folks are like being a brand ambassador is the most serious crime against humanity or something. We tend to forget that back in the days, being able to score such deals is one way to prove that a chef has "made it" as a well-known personality. And whether we like it or not, artificial flavor enhancers will always have a place in normal home cooking. And Marco even returned his Michelin stars before he started doing brand deals.

[@Propa_Way]

"Michelin stars, they are my past." Marco is smooth with words no doubt.

[@Propa_Way]

4:11 onwards, is what most people don't understand

[@Nautilus1972]

Easy to say when you had three.

[@Propa_Way]

+Nautilus1972 maybe, maybe not. He just made it seem as though when you've gotten those 3 stars, you were a slave to a cause in retaining them since the journey of gaining them was over.

[@Mercuriusfm]

@@Propa_Way its your choice really

[@douglassmith3016]

*"Firstly, I'm allowed to make a living. I have a family; I have my children. I have to create security for them, and I have to feed them."* --Marco is moral.

[@lebigbentheory]

apparently he was an abusive husband to his wife, dont think he hit her but he would neglect her and cheat on her as well

[@georgefreemon2935]

@@lebigbentheory His kids disagree

[@tomhidley6763]

I find it funny how he says he needs to create security by advertising stock cubes but he was already a multi millionaire 😂😂😂

[@douglassmith3016]

@@tomhidley6763 He's also a restaurateur, which means he has to pay: - *Salaries* to ALL of his cooks, ALL around the world and retain the best talent through bonuses, vacations and perks. - *RENT* at all of his establishments. - *Insurance* fees at all of his businesses. - *Utilities* (water, electricity, cleaning, upkeep, maintenance, supplies, etc.) - *Advertising* - *Lawyers* (never-ending lawsuits, actions, gripes, thievery, contests, litigations, etc.) - *Regulations* (on average, small business owners spend $12,000 on regulations compliance every year.) - *License fees* at ALL of his interests around the world. This is the small list of what the average business owner has to pay just to operate. *Marco is FIERCE!*

[@tomhidley6763]

@@douglassmith3016 Alright buddy, sorry did I touch a nerve? 😂

[@Muffincakeswithsugar]

His voice is really soothing and magical

[@djf5756]

Marco, for all his pomp and ceremony when he speaks, is one of very few men left who actually bothers to think before he opens his mouth. Every answer has been given a due amount of thought and attention, and one knows that if he didn't want to answer a particular question, he wouldn't. Nor would he be apologetic about not answering it. We should all take a leaf from his book.

[@ishasankoh753]

Marco is a great speaker, very cautious, calm and nice. I love the way he talks and compose himself even if hes angry u cant tell from the expression of his face. Love u Marco!!!

[@luf4rall]

+Isha Sankoh He also looks and sounds like a sociopath. Hannibal Lecter.

[@niccoloaurelius1587]

To me he just seems nearly constantly angry, yet suppressing it.

[@Mercuriusfm]

@@niccoloaurelius1587 we call it refrained rage.

[@starlessartemis]

What a great speaker! If he were a high school teacher, teenagers would be in fear and awe at the same time!

[@JTwiss88]

If you haven't already watch his speech at the Oxford Union- fantastic

[@LvWeeb]

He truly felt bad that he had to charge so much being at 3 Michelin stars so scarified them to allow people to afford his food. What a guy

[@FutureAbe]

I just love how he talks xD

[@R0gue0ne]

He's such a gentleman. There is no pretense in Marco. He is unapologetic in showing you exactly who he is. Total class.

[@KevPezJALP]

Seeing Marco do recipes with stock cubes and sometimes more common ingredients helped me A LOT. I am VERY new to cooking. Looking to move away from boxed and frozen things all the time, but I also can’t afford the absolute highest end stuff I see some people use. If cubes are good for Marco, good enough for me

[@richardpasos6776]

he achieved the top at very young age so at very early time he achieved self actualization, the pinaccle of life, truly a living legend, MPW

[@amarwaha]

"You put your energies where it makes a difference, where it counts !!". Now he is a life teacher. Respect.

[@deanarvin]

The man comes off damn near like a philosopher. Quite an incredible sight. You "master" an art or a craft, whatever it is, it seems you gain a tremendous amount of wisdom that can be applied to many facets of life.

[@halocemoder658]

Maybe the thinkers are the ones who become masters at their art. Their craft is a manifestation of their proclivity to question and become wise. A special and rare alignment when talent and focus are added.

[@tequila_tibbs7938]

Think it was Musashi who said: “he who masters one thing masters everything” And he would know, being the greatest swordsman , and then a great artist and poet

[@viperfanaccount688]

There really does seem to be something to being a master and having overall wisdom yes. Maybe an innate desire to strive for greatness also leads to a desire to strive for overall understanding

[@pp-bb6jj]

I must say after finding out about stock cubes, my estimation of Marco Pierre White as a man didn't diminish.

[@Basedmursenary]

I just love how he doesn’t give some trite party line. Every response is genuine and unique to his personal experiences.

[@47EGS]

Dear Santa: All I want for Christmas is 1/10th of Marco's confidence.

[@ZakkWasNotAvailable]

people are talking about his speech and confidence, but of course he has them. Working 18 hours a day from his twenties til older ages, working for free as a 16 year old just to garner experience and training, and being on hundreds of interviews and night shows will do that to you.

[@BenOnuMuDiyorum]

What a beautiful 5 minutes. A calm wise man, a beautiful British girl and I actually learned something new. What would I want more...

[@zodiacmanan]

such an articulate, imaginative and honest speaker.

[@valeriakaur3581]

One of the best MPW interviews ive seen on youtube. .....finally he seems at peace with his life.

[@JTwiss88]

If you haven't already watch the youtube video with him giving a speech at the Oxford Union :-) brilliant speech and talk about his life

[@enriquesile2423]

I also recommend the one where he's with Tony Bourdain. One is on Parts Unknown and another is the two of them together being interviewed i think. 2 legends

[@Thingsyourollup]

Marco has achieved a level of enlightenment most of us could only dream of attaining. And thank you for asking him about the Knorr stock pots.... I had been wondering why he would have done all those videos and also thought he sold out... but he's absolutely right about how he is allowed to earn a living.

[@P00P0STER0US]

Truly can't imagine what it must be like trying to hang onto 3 stars, demanding perfection of yourself and everyone around you. We're just humans afterall. So glad he's moved into a new phase where he can share of himself and make a much-needed difference in the lives of ordinary people.

[@mollerbt]

Mike Pooposterous he said it's boring.

[@GH-oi2jf]

Read The Perfectionist.

[@positronlaserforce]

That's where I get my pleasure. Making people happy. -Chef Marco Pierre White

[@breadfan262]

I’m not sure I’ve ever witnessed anyone who was more direct and succinct.

[@riproaringanus]

The man stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the best chefs of the 20th century. He mentored Gordon Ramsay (his influence is quite obvious even now. He still says big boy for Christ's sake). And when you can cook a 3 star dinner that people will pay a months rent for us commoners you can pretty much endorse who you like and not give a flying fuck.

[@guiltseeker]

Pretty much well said!

[@dustin_echoes]

It's like he's narrating a book. His presence is so intense.

[@RoIIingStoned]

He is a very good speaker, too humble though, he thanks her for her time at the end lol

[@hans-christianbauer5947]

+RoIIingStoned That's the kind of difference that working in an extreme pressure/high performance environment makes. A lot of people who come across as jerks will actually turn out to be quite amiable and nice, once they have managed to get out of the rat race. When they have found their place in life, they usually become quite mellow and courteous.

[@bige8949]

Imagine getting the birds and the bees talk from him. "firstly.......you insert it........... but that's not the end of it........"

[@thefloppytuna2277]

Saw this 3 years later and made me laugh

[@arcwiz]

I have to put the stockpot WHERE?!

[@AndreaVirago]

How in the world did you come up with this treasure🤣

[@stewartmcminn7773]

...you can finish inside, it's your choice.

[@bige8949]

@@stewartmcminn7773 Some prefer it on the bottom, and that's alright. But I like to sprinkle it on the face. Gives a nice finish look.

[@VarjoFilosofi]

I somehow get same vibes from Hannibal Lecter..

[@flynnzer2010]

if you shaved his head he would even look a bit like anthony hopkins

[@Jlijnse2007]

Especially her robot modus of interviewing provokes the idea of eating her liver with a nice Chianti.. :))

[@stephenbradford7936]

I seriously scrolled down to write exactly this!!! and you were the first reply I saw!

[@ONEMANUNITX]

Id rather eat a dish from him.

[@camos5670]

THANK YOU! I've been wanting to comment that but was too afraid I'd have my guts out.

[@rogerlephoque3704]

Anyone who really knows Marco beyond his media personality will recognize the barely concealed disdain he has for this interviewer as he signs off and "thanks" her for her patience. MPW never forgets; she will not get a second chance to interview him. To be fair to her, she's very young

[@mTokhi1]

I can listen to him talk all day

[@ChefJohnCardona]

This chef was the Rocky of the culinary world !!!

[@billmurray1431]

This man taught me you can work miracles with a stock cube. All seriousness, I could listen to this man talk all day. You forget you're listening to a chef talk. He is a very intelligent amd very interesting person to listen to

[@clengener1039]

Marco's voice is so great i would like to chill/relax and study to it.

[@dylanwilliams7868]

These two are like the embodiment of English charm

[@ta55o5]

Here he goes completely Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs.

[@szabkrisz512]

MPW should be in the movie called "Slice of the Lamb"

[@SilhouetteJudas]

Kristóf Szabó “Slice of the Lamb Hotpot”

[@abhisharma-fs8jz]

Listening to MPW gives me literal chills, sometimes I deliberately don’t watch his interviews cuz I don’t think m ready to take all that in.

[@3082frank]

I just discovered Marco but I have to say this man is just beyond next level. I thought Gordon was hardcore but Marco is amazing. Tough but a true gentleman. Respect to the GOAT

[@IMMORTALSYMPHONIES]

Its perfect the way he bypassed the question of critics. There is no big philosophy. Its just life.

[@Joelio8701]

I absolutely love the bloke to be fair. Pulls no punches and can tell a great story!

[@gutspillage]

He's such a stoic and inspiring personality.

[@QuangTran27]

I don't understand what's wrong with being a brand ambassador. If Mr. Marco love the product then he should advertise it.

[@AlexDainese]

QuangTran27 keep dreaming.

[@Williamstanway]

@@AlexDainese he isn't dreaming ,I use stock pots at home and I'm an ex chef , they are a good product .

[@AlexDainese]

@@Williamstanway Well, if you are a "chef"...

[@georgesduroy410]

It's irresponsible ans shameful. NO kitchen needs industrial ingredients in the form of a stock-cube made out of Salt, MSG, hydrogenated oils and palm oils... Do you get it?

[@Williamstanway]

Shut up chef , get a life you know fuck all .

[@jakesearle11]

What an answer to the long waited question. Nothing but respect for MPW

[@crystalwater505]

Watching Marco talk is extremely captivating. You can learn tons just by listening to him whenever he speaks.

[@Pestrutsi]

The title is so spot on.. I love how he's so calm, rational and making so goddamn many good points about everything, he's evolved beyond worrying about Michelin stars as a chef and as a person. You can really hear admirable serenity and wisdom in this man's speech.

[@cholasuek]

He is very, courteous and considerate. That is a Chef - ambassador of gastronomy.

[@JoeyArmstrong2800]

Asking Marco if he misses working behind the line is like asking a soldier if he misses being shot at day after day.

[@schreineinAV]

great point he made when questioned about being a 'sell out'!! the man has a family to look after and he's allowed to make a living, whatever he chooses! also, great point he made about elitism, and wanting to feed everyone no matter their social standing!! big respect to this man....... and he's still as intense as ever!

[@jmpicturefly]

felt like every sentence he was trying so hard just to not let rip at her. some might not realise what a reputation and pedigree this guy has. He schooled most of the celebrity chefs who worked under him at Harvey's. A major ball-buster of the highest order.

[@kenshiro6961]

Marcos wisdom is on a Different level. Could listen to him all day

[@cesrra]

Wow Marco!! the way you answer is just superb !! BRAVO!!

[@FrozenCappucino]

He is by far the wisest. I have so much respect for him.

[@slaveofalahalami8660]

Humble man sir Marco high respect 🥰

[@carlosace1230]

I have high bass earphones and Marcos voice is just..

[@Honeybee-ym5vi]

I'm glad I read some of the comments. For whatever reason, I never encountered MPW until just last week. KZbin's algorithm threw up one of his Knorr videos (Boeuf Bourguignon with Wild Mushrooms) on my page. I was entranced. Yes...he uses the Knorr stockpot. What's far better is that he imparts his knowledge in the kitchen and about cooking to you if you're willing to observe and listen seriously. He's also a gentleman of the first class...and sadly, we have so few these days. I'm thinking of making the Boeuf Bourguignon for Christmas. Thank you, Chef!

[@hillehai]

The man is a severe narcissist, if not a down right psychopath. Stop being so naive and start paying attention to how people behave already.

[@jdb9388]

Gordon might be "popular" but Marco is just a transparent cool dude, he lives by conviction and meaning

[@jincjin8700]

Marco you are a humble man and you acknowledged the fact people will naturally associate 3 star michelin star restaurants with expensive unaffordable food, you have and will continue to accomplish great things by overcoming your business desires, you teach everyone a good attitude towards life

[@huehue5286]

This guy has so much wisdom to share.

[@bllybao]

a great man, a great chef, he inspires me so much.

[@PearsAreOkay]

Evolve or not evolve. It's your choice. There is no recipe.

[@redblack9518]

He did say he is being judge by people who is less knowledgeable than him. That offers little merit and that gave him the courage to walk away from the Michelin. Enriching people thru knorr, Marco is my hero.

[@MarkMarxonsBassChannel]

Brilliant man!! Great interview too

[@ThePreparedNorseman]

I do like he's knorr stuff not because of the knorr but because he actually show some really nice food

[@AlcatrazPornSociety]

Class, pure class.

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

Damn right. The Knorr videos are some of the best recipe videos on YT.

[@BigunderscoreJ]

This video was a pleasure to watch.

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

That was awesome. Too bloody right old boy. Every man that brings bread home for the family in my book is a man that can hold his head high. All the best to him.

[@RacerEckss]

Marco is the man. If you can't understand how far more advanced he is over this interviewer, then you don't understand Marco.

[@jesusismyhigh123]

such a pure man doesn't say or do anything he doesn't want or mean

[@giedriusmalikenas320]

Excellent interview!!

[@rht100]

Exceptional interview. Marco is eloquent but you could already see that from his days at Harvey’s during his interviews back then.

[@berdt4870]

Class through and through

[@musicmike1960]

Marco must be sick of the same questions for the past years, over and over and he still is a gentlemen all the way...

[@verborgenewahrheit1594]

Love this man. Pure wisdom. A man of the people.

[@kristasmith3692]

Marco is such a classy gentleman.

[@amadopagdanganan8645]

ah, Marco loves gardening, I hope I could meet the 3 star chef in person one day.

[@matmc71]

No longer a 3 star chef.....

[@ZevHoover]

*former

[@rebeccahefner4290]

+matmc71 He will always be a 3 star chef. He was given the stars and no one took them from him! He chose to give them back. You can't take away what this man has achieved!

[@Laurisa718]

Marco has certainly inspired me, and I've learned so much watching his videos. He is a wonderful man!

[@MarkMarxonsBassChannel]

Marco is such a fascinating and talented man. Truly inspiring on so many levels.

[@richyrodriguezberezov2052]

Everything he says with that peaceful but confident tone hypnotises me I could hear him for hours

[@bonkling]

Such an amazing man, so intimidating too, haha.

[@ciamarrajohn]

It's especially scary how he's the most intimidating when he lowers his voice, like a cold-blooded killer, very intentional and deliberate, no bluffing

[@TheBenzooh]

He is such an inspiration! I love him.

[@alexanderfoster5497]

Good to hear Marco. 👍

[@briancox7875]

One of my favorite people on the planet. I love listening to the man. He has a refined elegance about him. He's as much a philosopher as he is an a great chef.

[@eddbau]

i always and i mean it, always find myself surprise by the talent, the respect that marco shows for the kitchen and how he can inspire me to be a better cook, still learning from this genious!

[@AlchemicalForge91]

What an honorable man

[@sunnykumar-df5qc]

His voice is so soothing 😍

[@DeliriumBand950]

He’s very humble. I like that in celebrities.

[@JasonJohnson-kq2eq]

This guy is fantastic, love that he is so in touch with his youth, a pub with his touch with food is crazy to think on.

[@ajaxno1501]

Fucking hell that first question.. the simplicity, jesus christ..

[@Queeg500RD]

Ajax No lol

[@GH-oi2jf]

Maybe Marco wrote the questions, or at least vetted them. His answers are what matter.

[@noeybalbonzers9755]

if this man told me to put knorr (or anything for that matter) on a rock...i would. hes an absolute legend and leader.

[@Patrick_Simon_Sanad]

Amen to this guy... he found his reason long time in life and always makes the best out of it... bless you marco... always evolving, as he said! 🙏