'Dad has always been my hero'

BBC chef Rick Stein and one of his three sons, chef director Jack, discuss the close bond they've forged over food-plus, Jack shares his very special Father's Day menu interview KEITH KENDRICK

- By Keith Kendrick

Father's Day special

Every year, Rick Stein and his sons Ed, Jack and Charlie pack up their fishing gear and head off for a boys' weekend. With such busy lives working for the Steins' food businesses, it's a special time when they can all be together - father and sons, enjoying each other's company, reforging their connections over fishing and food.

This year, they'll be heading to Iceland, and Jack, especially, is looking forward to it because, of the four, he is the best angler - yet he's the only one who hasn't netted a salmon! Jack adds, 'Charlie caught a 20-pound salmon last time, and he goes on about it! So this year we're going to one of the best places you can possibly go for fishing and if I don't catch there, I might hang up my rod.' Rick laughs, 'We're very competitive. Once they have their catches in the bag, they cook together and chat, laugh and reminisce.

Growing up, the Sunday roast was the highlight of the week, when we’d all sit down together

Rick rose to fame for his fish cookery, which led to his hugely popular BBC TV shows, cookbooks, plus a restaurant and pub empire (rickstein.com) that spans Padstow, London, Marlborough, Winchester, Newquay and Sandbanks, for which his sons also work. It's very much a family affair.

Rick says, 'Food as a way of bringing people together is really what all the TV programmes I've done are all about. You find yourself in a very convivial atmosphere to talk about anything you want to.