In his own words: AWT on smoking, vaping and veganism

The video of our webinar with celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson is now on YouTube.

As I mentioned on Thursday Antony was in good form and had plenty to say about a range of issues including smoking ("A lot of my staff still smoke"), vaping ("I don't particularly like it") and veganism ("There is some wonderful [vegan] food ... but it's hard without cheese, without eggs, without butter").

He revealed that his favourite TV chefs include Rick Stein and the late Keith Floyd, even though the latter – who became a friend – “couldn’t cook to save his life”.

He talked about The Greyhound, his gastro pub near Henley-on-Thames (motto "food, wine and happiness"), and divulged how he caught and cooked his first duck at the age of six.

“It was pretty gruesome I seem to recall but I’m still here to tell the tale.”

More controversially he revealed he would like the government to tax what he calls "unnecessary food" including dips and ready meals.

"... if you can't be bothered to make a pot of guacamole or hummus yourself, pay a little bit more for it."

Approaching his 70th birthday, he also explained the type of funeral he’d like to have.

“I want to be celebrated. I don't want anyone wearing black ... I want people to have fun and realise that I had a good life.

“There have been ups and downs, we've all had ups and downs, but generally I enjoy my life and I want people to enjoy my death, as it were."

We could have talked for another hour and explored these and other topics in more detail but if you have a spare moment do watch the video.

Few of you will agree with everything he said but you won’t be bored!