The Interview: William Hutchings, Proprietor and wine buyer, The Bell at Skenfrith
08 Feb 2007 William and Janet Hutchings bought the Bell at Skenfrith in December 1999 and immediately closed it to embark on a major refurbishment programme, planning to reopen for Christmas 2000. In early December 2000 the River Monnow, which flows past the Bell,... View issue Harpers, 9 February 2007
The Interview: Jeremy Cowen, Head sommelier, Galvin Bistrot de Luxe, London W1
01 Feb 2007 Jeremy grew up on the Wirral, trying his first wine, a 1967 Chateau d’Yquem, when he was 11, and joining The Wine Society at the age of 14. After failing to complete an engineering degree, he began a career in wine... View issue Harpers, 2 February 2007
The Interview: Katie O’Brien, General manager, Juniper, Altrincham
25 Jan 2007 Katie grew up on the east coast of Scotland. Her father ran hotels in Elgin and Fochabers, near Inverness, and insisted she do anything but catering. So Katie failed her Highers and went to work at the Golf View hotel in... View issue Harpers, 26 January 2007
The Interview: Richard Walton-Allen, Head Chef, Harvey Nichols, Leeds
18 Jan 2007 Harvey Nichols’ first store outside London was opened in the historic Victoria Quarter of Leeds in 1996. The store has five floors with a stylish 85-cover café and bar on the fourth floor. Three days a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday,... View issue Harpers, 19 January 2007
The Interview: Peter Nixson, Wine buyer, British Airways
17 Jan 2007 Peter Nixson joined BOAC as cabin crew in 1973 after being thrown out of university for failing his first year exams. In 1986, Business Traveller magazine did a survey of the wine served on board airlines, and BA came 16th out... View issue Harpers, 12 January 2007
The Interview: Will Smith, Co-owner, Arbutus, London
23 Nov 2006 Will was born in Birmingham and studied geography at Kingston University, in London. After working at a hotel to earn money prior to university, he took a diploma in hotel management at Manchester Polytechnic, sponsored by the hotel company Swallow Group.... View issue Harpers 24 November 2006
Solid partnership
23 Nov 2006 During the 1980s, Ian Botham (‘Beefy’ to his friends) was probably the most high-profile sportsman in the country. He took 5 for 74 on his Test debut against Australia in 1977, and was at one time the leading wicket-taker in Test... View issue Harpers 24 November 2006
