Jean-Christophe Novelli has led a star-studded life. The French celebrity chef has cooked for the Rothschilds, worked with bon vivant Keith Floyd, been showered with awards and publicly credited by food critic Egon Ronay, the man every chef in the ’80s feared and adored.
For the last decade, the chef has been touting his skills to adoring fans and acolytes through TV appearances and at his Novelli Academy in Hertfordshire, England. As the academy approaches its 10th anniversary, Novelli says food’s role in healthy living is at an all-time high, and could pave the way to a healthier lifestyle.
How is the world of dining out changing?
The people I see walk through restaurant doors are not the same people as they were 10 years ago. They have really massive expectations. One thing that’s more important now is the health issue and cutting down on salt.
Why are we getting too much salt?
A lot of people don’t acknowledge the salt in things. We’re allowed to consume six grams of salt per day. By the time you have your cereal, bread, a bit of mustard, ice-cream, biscuits, olives (obviously) and some cheese, you’re well over that, and you’re not even salting things. In the next three years, there will be new obligations to acknowledge how much salt is going into your food. It won’t be optional.
How will health issues affect cooking?
We will see people cutting down on saturated fat. You’re only allowed 20 grams per day; anything over that is an issue. Olive oil has 16 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, which is enormous. Rapeseed oil has only four grams and 20 times the Omega-3 content.
Why are people paying more attention to their health?
People are realising that we can live longer. That’s a fact. There’s also a little more self-respect. It’s rare to see people smoking now. I’m 53 and I stopped smoking more than 12 years ago, but in my time, if you were not smoking then you were not fashionable. People used to smoke inside cars with kids and you don’t see that anymore.
Can food be part of a cultural shift toward better health?
Yes. There’s an awful lot more to enjoy in life. For sure, going to the gym and training is good, but I don’t think that’s the answer. Exercise shouldn’t be a punishment because you’ve been abusing your body. I think there is enough education for people to know that food has an enormous impact on the world.
How can people help themselves?
How many people don’t even chew their food? When you chew properly your stomach works less. You also eat less because you’re filling your mind. So many people walk around with their stomachs completely bloated. I think it’s about discipline. Some people take better care of their car than they do of their own body. Also, people should try to buy locally and to buy within season.
What are the biggest misconceptions about food?
People think carbohydrates are bad for you. I don’t think so. I used to do 100 miles of cycling a week. If I didn’t have my carbs then I would be finished. Carbs are important and you can eat them without proteins. It’s been proved for 50 years that we should divide our carbs and proteins. The good thing about cooking is that it’s like music. There is no limit.
