‘It’s part of who I am’: Heston Blumenthal on the bipolar diagnosis that saved his life, his journey of self-discovery – and how he finally emerged from his family’s shadow
In a searingly honest interview, the star chef talks about the pressure of success, dealing with grief and how being sectioned by his wife changed everything
Heston Blumenthal, one of Britain’s greatest chefs, lives in a small village in Provence. When we meet, on a weekday morning in February, he is in the Hind’s Head in Bray, a stone’s throw from his very famous restaurant, the Fat Duck, which turns 30 this August. Blumenthal is in England to test dishes he hopes to recall to an anniversary menu – a kind of Greatest Hits of the Duck. “But it’s a backbreaker,” he says. “You start off with the old recipes and you realise they’re not up to scratch – we’ve moved on. So we’re tasting, tasting, tasting.” Yesterday, Blumenthal cooked four pieces of turbot, each at a minimally different temperature, to nail the dish. “At this level, those incremental differences make a massive difference,” he goes on, looking briefly bemused. “It’s been hard.”
Much else has been hard for Blumenthal recently. In November 2023, he was sectioned in France following a week-long manic episode and given a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. He spent 20 days on a psychiatric ward and a further 40 days at a clinic. Blumenthal describes the ward as “a bit like a prison”. For many days prior to hospitalisation he had been unable to sit still and his mind raced. He had begun talking for hours at a time, often through the night, and he would become irritable when his wife, Melanie, whom he married earlier that year, could not find a way to respond. “He locked himself within his own universe,” Melanie told me later. “And to get in? Good luck.” Melanie eventually left for respite at her parents’ home, a two-hour drive away, and Blumenthal remained in Provence alone, experiencing symptoms of psychosis. In a phone message sent after Melanie left, Blumenthal told her he was in possession of a gun, and he began to suggest arrangements for his funeral. Of the gun he says, “It felt real, but there was nothing there, I was hallucinating… And then I started talking about death.”
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
‘Painting was my final act of defiance’: how a chef from war-torn Eritrea wowed the art world after his death
Ficre Ghebreyesus, who died in 2012, made vertiginous paintings celebrating family, the diaspora and his own turbulent story. His first European solo exhibition charts this remarkable journey. What ...The Guardian - 5d -
I signed a prenup, but my husband refuses to make a will or set up a trust. If he dies, will I inherit his estate?
“He has one adult son from whom he is estranged. He is 71 and I am 69.”MarketWatch - Mar. 9 -
My husband plans to leave his estate to his adult son, who steals his credit card to gamble online. What can I do?
“Dementia runs in my husband’s family. My husband’s son has been known to take money from his dad without permission.”MarketWatch - 6d -
CEO of Saffron Road food company credits "immigrant journey" for his success
Adnan Durani started his company Saffron Road in 2010 to bring foods from different cultures of the Silk Road to mainstream America. Nikki Battiste spoke to him about how his background as an ...CBS News - 4d -
Inter Milan Star Goalkeeper In Form Of His Life Despite Entering Career Finale: “My Best Version Ever”
Inter Milan star goalkeeper Yann Sommer is seemingly enjoying life at the San Siro despite approaching his career’s finale.Speaking to Blick via FCInterNews, Sommer admitted he is currently the ‘b...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Ruben Amorim makes “losing our minds” claim as he discusses his Man United plan
It’s not been an easy start to life at Man Utd for Amorim, who inherited a struggling side from Erik ten Hag when he moved over from Sporting Lisbon earlier this season.Amorim did impressive work ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Life of British man, 79, imprisoned by Taliban is in serious danger, say family
Peter Reynolds, who runs a business in Afghanistan, was held along with his wife last month and needs heart pills, says his daughter. The life of a 79-year-old British man imprisoned along with his ...The Guardian - 20h -
Prince William Reveals Key Role His Kids Play in His Soccer Superstitions — and How He Secretly Goes on Fan Forums
"I do have a bit of superstition about where I sit when I’m watching," the royal said about his soccer rituals on Friday, March 14Yahoo Sports - 3d -
‘Life Below Zero’ Alum Jessie Holmes Wins Iditarod Race In His Eighth Try
Jessie Holmes, who appeared on the long-running Nat Geo series Life Below Zero that follows people living subsistence lifestyles in the most remote parts of Alaska, won the famed Iditarod Trail ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Nuggets' Nikola Jokić says he's 'playing the best basketball' of his life as Michael Malone makes his MVP case
Jokić said that if he doesn't win his fourth MVP award, OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 'deserves it'CBS Sports - 5d -
His Death Was Interrupted, Just as He Had Planned
Brendan Costello’s family was bracing for goodbyes. But he had one last wish.The New York Times - 1d -
Rich Rodriguez says he's banned his West Virginia players from dancing on TikTok
"I banned dancing on TikTok. I guess I did that."Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Guerschon Yabusele on his journey: Three years after being drafted, I had no team
Guerschon Yabusele: After China, when I went back to France, I didn’tYahoo Sports - 3d -
My boyfriend wants us to move in together – but I need my independence and his dog won’t let us have sex
I used to struggle with living alone, but now I’m thriving. Should I give it all up?. My boyfriend and I are in our late 50s. He never married and doesn’t have kids, while I am divorced with ...The Guardian - 6d -
CM: Milan welcome back ‘monster’ Loftus-Cheek – 12 games to decide his future
The big news from the week of work at Milanello was the return of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who will now begin his mission to convince AC Milan that he should stay.Calciomercato.com write how Sergio ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
'Living in a reel': How Alzheimer's left Gene Hackman alone in his final days
The actor may not have known his wife was dead inside the home he was living in because of the disease.BBC News - 6d -
‘He said I sounded hysterical’: Celia Paul on lover Lucian Freud, his cold friends and the ‘devastating’ YBAs
In prose and in paint, the great artist Celia Paul is exorcising the ghosts of her past – from the cruelties of her lover Freud, to his offhand cohorts, and the YBA revolution that declared ...The Guardian - 6d -
‘I never thought about Oscars’: Brutalist composer Daniel Blumberg on the happiness and horror of his big win
The defiantly anti-commercial British musician had walked away from mainstream success twice by his early 20s. Will his Academy Award convince him to embrace Hollywood, celebrity, the big bucks?. ...The Guardian - 5d -
Luke Combs says he struggles with 'pure O,' an OCD variant that's literally all in his head: 'It's not fun'
Luke Combs says he has a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder known as 'pure O,' an unofficial diagnosis where the compulsions are entirely mental.Los Angeles Times - 5d -
How Baron Davis found his voice as rapper Bart Oatmeal
Baron Davis, the South Central L.A. legend, is navigating the transition of life after hoops with his second love: rapping.ESPN - Mar. 9 -
‘He claims to be a nihilist’: I told my friend to sell his Tesla shares. He stopped speaking to me. Is that normal?
“I’ve been trying to get him to diversify his retirement portfolio.”MarketWatch - 1d -
Formula 1 driver Lando Norris reveals his racing strategy ahead of 2025 championship
NBC News' Sahil Kapur caught up with Lando Norris as he looks ahead to competing for the 2025 F1 championship. Norris discussed his strategy for the upcoming season, his favorite parts of competing ...NBC News - Mar. 5 -
What can Canada expect from its next PM? The Mark Carney I knew | Larry Elliott
In his seven years as Bank of England governor, Carney was charming and self-confident but had a volcanic temper. Smart, smooth, tough and a liberal globalist to the ends of his fingertips. That ...The Guardian - 6d -
‘The Interview’: Chuck Schumer on Democrats, Antisemitism and His Shutdown Retreat
The Senate minority leader discusses the backlash to his vote on the Republican spending bill, how he sees his role within the party and his new book.The New York Times - 1d -
Motta has limited time to save his Juventus job: why he wasn’t sacked after latest loss
Reports in Italy claim that another defeat against Genoa after the international break would cost Thiago Motta his job, but the ex-Italy midfielder hasn’t been sacked already for several reasons, ...Yahoo Sports - 47m -
Harvey Weinstein due in court for key rulings as his #MeToo retrial nears
Harvey Weinstein’s #MeToo retrial next month will largely be an abridged version of the original, with one big addition: a charge based on an allegation from a woman who wasn’t a part of the first ...ABC News - 4d -
Le'Veon Bell's former high school removes his name from its field
Six years after he made news during free-agency week by signing a significant contract with the Jets, former NFL running back Le'Veon Bell is making news during free-agency week for different reasons.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Amazing: of all the books in all the world Mr Free Speech Zuckerberg wants to ban, it’s the one about him | Marina Hyde
Whether the Meta boss and his ex-lieutenant Sheryl Sandberg are truly beyond awful is neither here nor there. I thought he was done with factchecking. I am as shocked as I am confused that Mark ...The Guardian - 3d -
Crossbow killer who murdered 3 women is sentenced to a whole-life order in UK prison
A former British soldier who pleaded guilty to the murder of three women at their family home north of London has been sentenced to a whole-life order, meaning that he would never be released from ...ABC News - 5d -
How did Justin Thomas follow his record-tying round at The Players Championship? Here's how
Justin Thomas shot a 1-over-par on Saturday, a day after shooting a tournament-tying -10 on Friday. He stands at 3-under heading into the final day.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Sergio Ramos sent off again! His 30 career red cards, from Real Madrid to Monterrey
Ramos received red card No. 30 in Monterrey's win at Pumas. Here's how he earned each one.ESPN - 40m -
Mark Kelly: Musk has only sworn 'an oath to his checking account'
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) slammed Elon Musk for calling him “a traitor” for visiting Ukraine, comparing his track record to the billionaire's, who Kelly said has only sworn an “oath to his checking ...The Hill - 5d -
Reijnders saves Milan as Dele Alli sent off on Como debut
Tijjani Reijnders saved AC Milan's skin in Saturday's 2-1 win against Serie A upstarts Como, who gave Dele Alli his debut from the bench only for the former England international to be sent off ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
No one’s buying Hunter Biden’s terrible paintings any more? I wonder why | Arwa Mahdawi
It’s tough being a nepo baby – especially when your daddy suddenly loses his influence. Poor Hunter Biden. His dad, who issued him an unconditional pardon as one of his last acts as US president, ...The Guardian - 6d -
A Baltimore doctor's patients come to his aid
Dr. Michael Zollicoffer is a 66-year-old private family practitioner in Baltimore. His spirit is infectious, and his patients have been on the receiving end of his generous care for years. But ...CBS News - Mar. 9 -
Vance says pro-Ukraine protestors confronted him while he was with his daughter
Vice President Vance said that he was confronted by a group of pro-Ukraine protestors while he was walking with his 3-year-old daughter on Saturday. Vance wrote that he encountered “Slava Ukraini” ...The Hill - Mar. 9 -
Brandon Staley reveals part of his defensive philosophy
The Saints used a lot of 5 defensive back formations and that isn't going to change under Brandon StaleyYahoo Sports - 2d -
Mahmoud Khalil's lawyers say he may miss his child's birth while detained
Mahmoud Khalil's lawyers are saying he may miss his child's birth while detained for deportation proceedings over his involvement in the 2024 Columbia University pro-Palestinian protests. CBS News' ...CBS News - 2d
More from The Guardian
-
Kremlin confirms Trump-Putin call on Tuesday as European leaders question Russia’s intentions – Europe live
Russian leader and US president to speak by phone and discuss Ukraine ceasefire plan. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk has commented on the Lithuanian prosecutor general’s report on ...The Guardian - 52m -
Carney and Macron present united front in face of Trump trade war
Canadian PM stresses importance of ‘reliable allies’ in joint press conference with French president. Europe live – latest updates Canada is the “most European of the non-European countries”, ...The Guardian - 1h -
Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen – Middle East crisis live
US says airstrikes are intended to deter rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. More than 200 people, including women and children, have been killed in Syria in incidents involving war ...The Guardian - 19m -
Trump administration set for legal fights after carrying out deportations despite court orders – US politics live
Courts to demand answers after doctor is deported and two planeloads of Venezuelans flown to an El Salvador prison; Trump to attend Kennedy Center board meeting. What is the Alien Enemies Act and ...The Guardian - 21m -
Japan to deploy long-range missiles able to hit North Korea and China
Planned missiles on Kyushu said to be part of ‘counterstrike capabilities’, as fears grow over US security pact. Japan is planning to deploy long-range missiles on its southern island of Kyushu ...The Guardian - 2h
More in World
-
Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen – Middle East crisis live
US says airstrikes are intended to deter rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. More than 200 people, including women and children, have been killed in Syria in incidents involving war ...The Guardian - 19m -
Trump administration set for legal fights after carrying out deportations despite court orders – US politics live
Courts to demand answers after doctor is deported and two planeloads of Venezuelans flown to an El Salvador prison; Trump to attend Kennedy Center board meeting. What is the Alien Enemies Act and ...The Guardian - 21m -
Hungary’s government submits bill to ban Budapest Pride event
Ruling coalition continues its crackdown on LGBTQ+ people under its ‘child protection’ legislation. Hungary’s ruling coalition is continuing its crackdown on the country’s LGBTQ+ community, as ...The Guardian - 21m -
What’s Trump’s strategy beyond tariffs?
A shoot from the hip approach is unlikely to rebuild US industryFinancial Times - 33m -
How many legal parents can a child have? The Dutch are asking the question | Mark Smith
In our rainbow family, there are two dads and a mum – but the law in the Netherlands only recognises two of us. Our daughter is very much on board with the idea that, unlike her, many other ...The Guardian - 33m