Q & A – by Jamie Oliver
Jamie talks to his Hollywood superstar mate and discovers, BBQs aside, neither he nor his missus are much cop in the kitchen.
Jamie: Hi mate, Jamie here. I’m just on my way to New Orleans, do you have any great places you like that I should try out? Where’s the best gumbo in town?
Brad: Drago’s for charbroiled oysters; Arnaud’s for shrimp remoulade (aka Shrimp Arnaud); Irene’s crab gratin appetiser and any fish – they do a great lamb chop as well. And for the best gumbo, just stop by anyone’s home.
J: What did you have for breakfast?
B: On a film now, so in fighting mode – strictly a bowl of oatmeal, lightly dusted with brown sugar, and a bucket of coffee.
J: When you were a kid, what were some of your favorite foods?
B: BBQs and homemade ice cream.
J: What’s for lunch today?
B: I’m on set, so there’s some Asian stir-fry massing.
J: What’s the most amazing meal you’ve ever eaten?
B: Why, that would be anything from the Fifteen chain of restaurants, of course!
J: What music you listening to at the moment?
B: Everything Kings of Leon and anything by the Black Keys.
J: Last place you visited?
B: Berlin.
J: Do you like to cook? Are you any good?
B: I can rock a Sunday BBQ but that’s as far as my culinary talents go.
J: What do you cook when you’ve got people coming over?
B: I order out.
J: What’s the best thing that Angelina’s ever cooked for you?
B: Cereal.
J: If you could learn to cook one dish what would it be?
B: Sauces. Lots of sauces.
J: Who’s your favorite celebrity chef apart from me?
B: There are others?
J: Can you juggle?
B: Shit yeah – six kids.
J: What’s the most expensive meal you’ve ever had and was it worth it?
B: A thousand euros worth of fish soup; I wasn’t paying, so I guess so.
J: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
B: I’ve eaten crickets in Cambodia, sea urchins in France, goat in Ethiopia and Rocky Mountain oysters (balls) in Montana. Angie and I made crocodile curry from a can.
J: What food do you really hate?
B: Salmon.
J: What car are you driving these days?
B: Not a car, a bike. A classic Indian Larry chopper.
J: What’s your favorite TV show?
B: Little Einstein and the Discovery Health Channel.
J: Cats or dogs?
B: Dogs – two: Blackout Superstar and Jacque.
J: Roast or friend chicken?
B: I’ve moved up to roast, except when I’m back in the south.
J: Steak – rare, medium or well done?
B: Though it sounds indecisive, medium rare. I’m certain of this.
J: Sweet or savoury?
B: What happened to sour? OK, savoury.
J: Poached or fried eggs?
B: I don’t discriminate.
J: Coke or Pepsi?
B: Beer.
Need to know:
In 2006, Brad Pitt initiated Make It Right (makeitrightnola.org), in order to build green, affordable homes for New Orleans residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina. He and his family now have a home in the city.
Brad’s New Orleans restaurant picks: Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, 3232 N Arnoult Road, Metairie; 001 504 888 9254, dragosrestaurant.com. Arnaud’s, 13 Rue Bienville, New Orleans; 001 504 523 5433, arnauds.com. Irene’s Cousine, 539 St Philip Street, New Orleans; 001 504 529 8811.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will be released in the UK on 23 January 2009. It stars Brad, Cate Blanchett and keen baker Jason Flemyng, whose recipe for citrus and pistachio cake appears on page 70.