Rick Stein on Masterchef, 'Padstein' Criticism, and Christmas
The chef shared memories and industry insights in a conversation with Graeme Green.
Childhood Christmas Gift
Among all his childhood Christmas presents, Rick Stein recalls one standout favourite:
“One year, I was given a push-pedal car. I was still tiny, and we were living in the Cotswolds. You sat in the car and pushed the two pedals, and went round and round the sitting room in it. I loved it.”
He says those were simpler times.
Wish for Hospitality Industry
Now, seven decades later, Stein hopes for a practical gift for the struggling hospitality sector — not from Santa, but from Keir Starmer:
“A moratorium on VAT would be good.”
Stein expressed concern about the current state of hospitality:
- 80,000 jobs have been lost this year in the hospitality industry.
- The sector is facing serious challenges, especially in his area of business.
Comments on Taxation and Growth
He explained his views on government policy and its impact:
“I’m trying to be reasonable about it. I know stuff has to be paid for. What the government is trying to do, I guess, is to increase the tax situation by growth, but doing so by putting National Insurance up just stopped growth.”
Stein pointed out how increasing taxes leads to cost cutting in labour:
“If you’re faced with ever-increasing taxes, you’re going to cut back on labour wherever you can. You’re certainly not going to hire people unless you absolutely need to.”
He acknowledged the country’s difficult economic condition but criticized targeting vulnerable sectors:
“It seems to me a complete ‘home goal’ to target parts of the economy that are not well-equipped to deal with it.”
Author’s Summary
Rick Stein highlights the challenges facing hospitality due to rising taxes and job losses, urging thoughtful government support to aid a struggling industry.