London’s NZ treasure

Friends Peter Gordon, New Zealand chef, 47, and Briton Tim Lott, acclaimed writer, 54, are interviewed in The Independent on Sunday about how they met, their differences and Gordon’s tartan. “It was around the end of the 1990s that I met Peter,” Lott recalls. “I was struck by what a gentle man he was: self-deprecating, intelligent and very likeable. He was quite theatrically gay – he wore this kilt, which is allegedly something to do with his Scottish heritage, though he’s about as Scottish as I am. Irrespective of my enormous affection for him, I have amazing respect for him as a chef. If you go to [his restaurant] The Providores … he’s got this amazing ability to combine flavours in a way you’ve not experienced before. His personal warmth also somehow infuses the whole atmosphere of his restaurants — there’s an informality about them, and you’re made to feel very comfortable.” Gordon, best known for introducing fusion cuisine to the UK, opened a second London restaurant, Kopapa, at the end of last year. He lives in north-west London.