One of Gordon Ramsay’s self-appointed Magnificent Seven - alongside previous Grilling guests Marcus Wareing and Angela Hartnett - Jason Atherton is a chef who’s made it to the very top of his profession through a combination of grit, bloody-mindedness and supreme talent. Here he talks to Simon about pole vaulting for England, running away to London with no money and no job, kipping in Angela's loft and not being able to find the kitchen, sleeping on a Spanish beach before blagging a gig washing pans at the best restaurant the world has ever known (right after he'd run one of Manchester's most successful ever eateries), and building a £50 million empire that spans the globe. It’s been quite the journey, beautifully recounted in this thoroughly delightful conversation.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.