Mark Hix

Chef, Author and Restaurateur

Southwark

Mark Hix opened his first restaurant in 2008, and has since opened seven more

The brains behind the iconic Tramshed restaurant, as well as seven other eateries and a series of books on British food, was born in Dorset. He moved to London as a teenager

What are your earliest memories of London?

I moved to London when I was 18, there were four of us who moved here at the same time and we were all working in Park Lane. We lived in a flat in Queensgate, so we used to walk to work. Aside from the hotels, we used to do part-time work in places like the Ambassador’s residence and HMS Belfast to get some extra money, which we spent on beer.

You lived in Shoreditch for 20 years before moving to Bermondsey. Why the move and what do you like about the area?

I thought maybe it was time for a change. It’s a bit quieter than Shoreditch, the buildings have a bit more character; it’s not as busy. Bermondsey Street is great, there are quite a lot of good restaurants and bars around there.

How has London’s restaurant scene changed since you’ve been working here?

When I first moved to London, all the well-known places were hotel restaurants, now it’s gone completely the other way. It’s now all about independents and restaurant groups. London has become the gastronomic capital of the world I think.

You’re known for choosing interesting venues and artwork – is art a passion?

Art plays a big part in the restaurants. I commission my mates to make art for them and I personally design how the restaurants are going to look. I also spend a lot of time in reclamation yards and junk shops finding things. I think my interest stems from when I first bough my flat in Shoreditch, which was probably my first taste of designing a space.

The Newport Street Gallery houses the personal art collection of British artist Damien Hirst, and the restaurant Pharmacy 2, a collaboration between Hix and Hirst

You are an avid art collector, especially work by Young British Artists such as Damien Hirst. How did you come to be associated with them?

A lot of it was living in Shoreditch in the hub where all the artists and young galleries were. It was hard to avoid, really.

What is your favourite London restaurant?

I like places such as Kricket and Gymkhana. I like low-key places – I’m a fan of a scruffy Chinese.

What is your favourite London building?

When I first moved to London I didn’t go to the Natural History Museum or any of those places, but later in life you rediscover them. Then there are wonderful places like Fortnum & Mason, which is stuck in time, but also very current. Then there are all the galleries, such as Whitechapel and Tate Modern. I think the Newport Street Gallery is a bit ahead of its time; Damien [Hirst] bought it about 10 years ago.

Where is your favourite London view?

I drive a Vespa around London and going over Tower Bridge is a nice thing to do first thing in the morning. I’ve never lived south of the river before now, but coming from there you see a lot of London you don’t normally see.

Who is your favourite Londoner?

Sandra, the landlady at The Golden Heart pub, and Steve Edge, a Shoreditch designer – I’ve known him for years.