7 things you didn't know about Heston

Heston Blumenthal might be one of UK's top chefs, but there’s more to the gastronomical genius than award-winning restaurants and menu surprises.

Heston Blumenthal is full of surprises! . Source: SBS Food

1. He is an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

(via SBS) Source: SBS

And in addition to that honour, Heston has also received honorary degrees (including a Doctorate in Science) from Reading, Bristol and London universities for his work in science and gastronomy.

2. He's published two scientific papers

(via SBS) Source: Inside Heston's World

One about Maximising umami taste in meat using natural ingredients and the other about the Differences in glutamic acid and 5'-ribonucleotide contents between flesh and pulp of tomatoes.

3. He has his own coat of arms

The coat of arms represents the five senses, all of which Heston believes contribute to the eating experience. The hand represents touch, the apple is taste, the lyre for hearing, lavender for smell and the magnifying glass for both sight and scientific discovery. The duck alludes to Heston's famed The Fat Duck restaurant and the three roses represent the restaurant's Michelin stars.

4. He's never had a cooking lesson in his life

This dish called ‘Botrytis Cinerea’ uses a molten gold sugar putty created by Heston specifically for this dish. (via SBS) Source: Inside Heston's World

And he could still make that?! What a natural talent!

5. He's fed the Queen

Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Heston is famously Queen Elizabeth II's favourite celebrity chef. During her Diamond Jubilee dinner, Heston fed the reigning monarch his signature snail porridge and bacon and eggs ice cream.

6. He's written a children's cookbook

(via Twitter) Source: Twitter

Called Family Food: A New Approach to Cooking, it encourages children to cook alongside their parents and be a part of the food preparation processes.

7. He used to buy olive oil from a pharmacy

(via Flickr) Source: Flickr

"I'm a Seventies kid. I grew up in a world where you had one type of pasta that came in a blue packet and an avocado was the height of luxury and you bought your olive oil from the pharmacy," Heston told The Guardian back in 2008.

 

Visit the Inside Heston's World program page for articles, videos and classic Heston recipes.