Maitre'D Valet Service

Kitchen Rat has heard some interesting tales from the madcap chef world over the years, but the latest one takes some beating.

The former maitre'd at a leading central London restaurant revealed to us how his boss at the time- a famously volatile Michelin-starred chef - once turned up in his expensive motor and, instead of finding a parking space, simply handed our man the keys.

"Drive around Soho for a couple of hours, will you," the chef demanded. "I will give you a call when I need the car."