Patrick's Blog

Come on England (Rugby)

Patrick — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:56:17 +0000

So there I was photographing exquisite food for Stylist Magazine for Selfridges with Nancy Waincoat and Heidi when in walks the legends of English Rugby Joe Worsley and Dan Hipkiss. So I happened to take some photos of them fine tuning their cooking skills with Chefs Pierre Koffmann and Eric Chavot. For a huge handed Worsley such finesse shocked even himself. Lets hope he gets the chance to show such fine tuned finesse and light handedness on Saturday at Twickenham.

Pierre Koffmann, Eric Chavot and Bruno Loubet at Selfridges.

Patrick — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:54:31 +0000

Quite simply an event for the privileged lucky few - A kitchen with no less than 7 Michelin Stars with Pierre Koffman as Chef, Eric Chavot as Chef and Bruno Loubet as Chef. Whoever said too many cooks spoil the broth simply did not know how to delegate and work in harmony and rhythm.

I was honoured to be asked to take some photographs and experience the kitchen in full swing - and to me it seemed it had been in production like this for many years and the glitches and egos left quietly at the door. Some may think that Mr Ramsay is the stereotype of how a kitchen should be run with shouting and swearing and staff on the edge of collapse - but this example of respect for food and for people and quiet efficient working all pushing in the same direction is the real pinnacle of cooking - at its very best.

No loud noises - just enough to be heard.

No large egos -just the quiet confidence in oneself.

No swearing except where required and mostly in jest, and the result ?

The best food I have ever tasted (and many other agree) !

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Secret photos of new car from Swedish Manufacturer

Patrick — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:00:48 +0000

Took these from my motorbike recently . . . .

Coffee and Bread

Patrick — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:49:58 +0000

The smells in my space are simply wonderful - coffee beans from Has Bean and Bread - home made with a wonderful Panasonic SD255 Bread maker - Loving my coffee and bread consumption right now !

Coffee Maker - Jura S90

Patrick — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:26:32 +0000

I purchased a Jura S90 from ebay and got a bit of a bargain I think - although my coffee intake has gone up many times !

What a superb machine. Jura is a Swiss company with Roger Federer as its trumpet blower.

I took the whole machine apart and rebuilt - a kind of self service.

Michael and Marie

Patrick — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:24:49 +0000

What a strange world we live in ! I have just read Lisa Marie Presley’s blog on facebook where she is obviously suffering and attacking herself over Michaels untimely death. I grew up with the Jackson 5 and Michael - and in some way was a believer in the no smoke without fire theory - I am not so sure now - perhaps it was just those old human emotions of jealousy and envy and pain and greed and hate that may have driven those young boys to claim he had abused them.

AND . . .

As an adult Michael was responsible for his actions and behaviour - however much he chose todeny it and employ people to take that responsibility away from him. Lawyers and Doctors know a great deal about Law and Medicine and thus will do their job and get paid for that.

However much he needed and wanted a childhood he never had - it was a sadness he needed to deal with NOT try to recreate. His pain was real - he did miss out on a lot and that is painful and sad. What is done is done after all and cannot be undone - no matter how much money you have or how deep your illusion or delusion is.

I do hope that people who find themselves in future in similar situations will look for and find trustworthy counsellors or therapists and work hard to keep their feet in this world.

Too many great artists have allowed themselves to be taken into an unreal world and believed the hype and bullshit.

Stay in the real world - it really is the best place to be !

Plasma Displays

Patrick — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:48:54 +0000

After having just bought a new plasma display I am amazed at what people fail to tell on the reviews and info web sites.
Plasma TVs come to life in the evening when the lights are low. They look OK during the day but really shine at night !

Love It !! I Bought the Panansonic TX-P50G10 and Wow what an awesome TV it is - A whole new Visual watching experience!

Royal Mail Problems

Patrick — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:58:34 +0000

How rubbish are the royal mail in the UK and why oh why can’t they get it right ?

It just seems over and over they get it so wrong and their website and payments service is so bad it is pathetic.It is not as if this is new technology !Paid £12.75 at 12. O’Clock ish today and got an email at 16:36 saying they had failed to process it. How pathetic !!!! AND the physical office closes at 16:30

Frustrating and sad!

Holding ones Nerves

Patrick — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:49:25 +0000

The Markets are turbulent so it makes sense to hold ones nerve - a risky time . . .

Bitrate for YouTube

Patrick — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:38:49 +0000

It seems that the handling of streamed media from YouTube is handled by the Host machines processor and not the server machines hardware. This means it will be best to optimise for an average (1-2 Year Old) processor spec and encode SD at around 450kbits/sec and HD around 1350 kbits/sec (at 1280 x 720).
Hope this helps.