Why British women eat too much, by chef Blanc

BRITISH women are fatter than their French counterparts because they ‘eat too much, all at once’, suggests Raymond Blanc.

The chef and restaurateur said the chances of seeing thin women on a beach in France is far higher than over here – because they are more restrained and particular about their food.

Speaking at his restaurant, Jardin Blanc, at the Chelsea Flower Show, the 66-year-old said: ‘The Mediterranean cuisine overall is much lighter and they [French women] only drink champagne, bone dry Brut... Also they don’t eat too much, all at once.’

He added: ‘When you go on a beach in France you are more likely to see thinner ladies.’

However the Michelin-starred chef admitted British diners are finally beginning to take heed of his health warnings and pay more attention to their diet.

‘There is more discipline as well here now,’ he said. ‘Now in this country we are connecting with food in a big way. There is a huge revolution. Instead of the French revolution, there is now an English revolution.’

Blanc said we should not hurry to cut out ‘beautiful’ dishes like fish and chips and roast beef. And he said ‘more vegetables and less potatoes’ in British diets could be the solution to health problems.

In a wide-ranging interview the twice-divorced father of two sons, Olivier, 39, and Sebastian, 34, also spoke candidly about sacrificing family time for his career.

‘At the age of 12 ... Olivier came to me and said, “Papa for me you are nothing. You are a stranger. I don’t know you”,’ he said.