And the recipe all the clients request.
For Clancy Atkinson jetting to and from the ends of the earth to prepare a meal are just part of his job. As a private chef, Atkinson has seen the best and the worst of his clients, which have included celebrities, designers and billionaires, all who want only the best for them and their family.
What do celebrities like to eat?
“Organic, seasonal, healthy and sustainable are absolutely essential for many of my clients. Increasingly sustainable seafood is becoming a priority — they are eating with an environmental consciousness. I have to say that the emphasis on luxury ingredients like truffles and caviar is becoming less important and replaced by requests for things like alkaline water, raw organic honey and green tea kombucha — they are more focused on healthy eating rather than extravagant ingredients.”
And what don’t they like?
“Meat, processed foods, bread and white sugar. Juicing is also out.”
Have you ever had to deal with fussy eaters?
“All of my clients are fussy eaters in the sense they know what they want. I always ask my clients to tell me immediately if I make something they don't like and I'll prepare them something else. On a recent trip to South Africa my client had a three day luxury safari [but] two hours after he arrived called to say he didn't like the food there and six hours later I was on safari cooking.”
What is one misconception people have about your job?
“That it’s glamorous. Sure, the job involves travel to amazing places, luxury villas, private jets and super yachts but in reality I'm on call 24/7 and usually spend 15-plus hours a day in the kitchen. My clients usually request breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks so the day consists of early starts and late finishes. The only break is usually a mad dash to the local market for supplies.”
What is the dish you are requested to make most?
"A salad of raw cauliflower, fennel, green apple, pecorino and hazelnuts with a raw honey vinaigrette."
Visit: ClancyAtkinson.com
