Steve Whitwam is the sales & marketing director at Harvest
What was your first-ever job? My first-ever job was a kitchen porter at The Ship Inn in Lymington when I was 13 years old. My friend was off sick one day, so I went in to do his shift for him. They preferred me, so sacked my friend.
How would your colleagues at Harvest describe you? I think the team would describe me as open, honest and straight-talking, with a fun and energetic personality. My secret Santa gift was a mug saying ‘Losers watch it happen, but winners make it happen’, so I hope they think I’m a winner.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport at which you might win a medal, what would it be?It would have to be something pretty straightforward. I love my food and completed a 64oz steak challenge once. I think I could eat for Britain and win us a medal. Although my issue would be hating the exercise that it came with.
If time and money were not an issue, what hobby would you most like to get into? I have a secret fascination with model aircraft flying. I have never done it before, but I think it looks pretty cool.Please don’t tell anyone.
What would your perfect day involve? A Star Wars marathon with some pizza. What is your song of choice at karaoke?It always has to be YMCA. Who would be your four ideal dinner party guests?John Bishop, Jamie Oliver, Kofi Annan and Nelson Mandela (if he was still alive).
What would you cook them? That’s a tough crowd to cook for. I would probably start with my Hawaiian prawn cocktail, followed by some rib-eye steak. We’d then have apple crumble to finish, as it’s the only dessert my mum could make when we were young.
What fad or trend would you like to see make a comeback? I have been really chuffed to see prawn cocktail making a comeback on British menus, but when I was a lad, we did a Hawaiian twist with pineapple and curried mayo.
If you were a superhero, what would you choose as your superpower? Freeze rays. The guy who does that, Marvel’s Iceman, gets to slide about everywhere on frozen water vapour, which looks super-cool.
What do you wish you knew more about? Everything. I didn’t do that well at school.
When was the last time you changed your belief
or opinion about something major? I do this quite regularly – I tend to be easily swayed if someone can put across a compelling argument.
