William Curley, owner and patissier at the same named chocolate boutiques in Richmond, Belgravia and Harrods and author of the award-winning book Couture Chocolate (£30, williamcurley.co.uk)
Where you would pay money to eat? The Victoria (The Victoria, 10 West Temple Sheen, SW14, thevictoria.net)
Why? Paul Merrett the head chef and owner is one of the leaders of the gastro pub scene in London. I eat there about once every two weeks. Paul is an extremely talented cook who works hard but he is a real cook who is always in the kitchen – the guys who work there must get amazing training. Children are welcome as well which is always good for my daughter Amy.
Who would you take? I usually take my wife and business partner Suzue and my daughter Amy although next week I am taking my whole team there – we have a fantastic group of young talented chefs working for us and it is nice to go out in a little group and reward them for all their hard work. The Victoria is good value and good food – a great little local place on the doorstep.
What do you eat there? Paul is very clever with spices and the combinations he comes up with are quite interesting. The Victoria is the best restaurant in that part of London. Last time I was there I had warm salad of duck confit, Morris Gold black pudding, fried potato and a soft boiled hens egg followed by oak smoked trout risotto, new season peas and broad beans, poached egg and pea shoots - it was absolutely delicious. For pudding I, of course, had the chocolate nut brownie which Paul serves with peanut butter ice cream and chocolate sauce – I can honestly say it was the best chocolate brownie I have ever eaten!
