'I prefer Big Macs to airline meals'

Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has little time for the food served to business class airline passengers and would rather sink his teeth into a Big Mac and fries.

White, 45, hit the headlines earlier this year when he came out in support of McDonalds after the chain had been criticised by Prince Charles. Now, the chef says he prefers their burgers to anything he gets in the comfy seats of airlines.

“I don’t want to single out any particular airline because I think the food generally is pretty appalling,” he said. “I always order it just to have a look. I was with my friend on a recent business class flight and I said to him ‘you know, I think I would prefer a McDonalds’.

“The airlines just don’t use enough fresh ingredients. I once went Lufthansa to Germany and they gave me a proper ham sandwich with a cup of tea on the side. You know, I can buy into that. There was nothing pretentious about it, just good wholesome food.”

At 33, White became the youngest Briton to achieve three Michelin stars. Now 45, he has a string of businesses, including the upmarket Luciano, L'Escargot and Mirabelle restaurants in London, and will front the new ITV series, Hell’s Kitchen. He travels extensively on business, particularly to the Middle and Far East, and the United States.

Which airlines do you prefer?

I’ve been lucky enough to go by private jet on some occasions. That’s fabulous because you don’t have any hassle. But I certainly wouldn’t own one — there are better things to invest my money in.

For long haul, I usually go British Airways. I’m just loyal to the national carrier. It’s the same with my wife – she’s Spanish and always goes with Iberia. I’ve also been with Virgin Atlantic to New York and it wasn’t bad but I really like Emirates. They just do things properly. I try to avoid short-haul flights. I mean, look at the size of me (he’s around 6ft 4 inches).

What do you do on board?

I enjoy myself. The staff are always nice, aren’t they? I wish we had that kind of service in restaurants in London. You go to some places and they are just downright rude to you, but that doesn’t happen in London. I’ve never seen rudeness in aircraft, but I’ve seen it in some of my own restaurants. I never sleep on flights. I spend ages trying to work out the entertainment gadgets and watch movies. I don’t really drink on aircraft, although Emirates will give you a glass of Dom Perignon. I’ve got word blindness and dyslexia, so I can’t really read. I suppose I just flash read things.

Do you travel light?

Always. I have one little bag and if I need anything, I’ll buy it out there. I can’t stand the fact that you have to wait at the carousel for your bag. If I’m in the baggage hall, my luggage is always the last to come out. You pay for business class, but it doesn’t guarantee that your bag will come any quicker. I think that’s a real.