Comments on: Sarah Willingham: J’accuse.

By: FWC

FWC — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:43:02 +0000

I will never understand the fascination with this woman and how she managed to grow her career into a third series of the restaurant by stating the obvious in that supercilious manner of hers. It’s interesting to read her press and see that several of the claims about her career are somewhat overinflated – amazing what a PR slant can do to glam it up! And all of that talk about her lovely family – also interesting to think she never mentions that securing her husband was at the expense of another woman’s marriage …

By: Tanya King

Tanya King — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:34:27 +0000

I too was a regular at The Bombay Bicycle Club for many years. I recall post take over, Sarah Willingham inviting the regulars to discuss a refurbishment of the restaurant in Balham to get our views! Much appreciated it was too as you know how teritorial we get about our much lived ‘local’! I also once had a meal where the service was a tad slower than usual. Normally I would not have bothered but as I had met Sarah and she solicited this feedback by putting her name on the menu (Very brave I have to say) I called her just to let her know. A bunch of flowers arrived the next day with a note of apology! So top marks for customer service from my experience. And the food quality remained excellent till it was sold a few years later. T

By: Dan Wilson

Dan Wilson — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:12:38 +0000

Harriet,

I think you misread my points. I am in no way better qualified than any of the hopefuls. Indeed: bonne chance to them.

My criticism is of a ‘judge’ who favours mediocrity rather than distinctiveness and excellence. See the three brands she has been in charge of The Real Greek, Tootsies and The Bombay Bicycle Club. I think she represents something that anyone passionate about food and enjoying food should be wary of.

By: harriet

harriet — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:58:46 +0000

bon chance to both dan and sue when you apply for the next series of the restaurant – obviously being better qualified than any of the applicants, or indeed one of the judges!

By: Will - ArenaFlowers.com

Will - ArenaFlowers.com — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:49:22 +0000

PS Sue, surely worse than the lip gloss is this: http://o.aolcdn.com/photo-hub/news_gallery/5/7/579049/1223037262483.JPEG

By: Will - ArenaFlowers.com

Will - ArenaFlowers.com — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:44:25 +0000

Ouch!
A stinger from DW there.

I used to love Bombay Bicycle.
Stopped using them when moved away. Top quality scran in my experience. Not sure if I was pre Willingham though.

A housemate of a friend used to ride a moped for the Putney branch. One of their drivers said to be a total loon. Spent all his money on his moped, then slept rough, chained to his moped. Allegedly. Haha. Good / bizarre story, anyway.

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:27:33 +0000

Actually, I just realised what it is I really hate about her: it’s the lip gloss. Why do girls do that? yuck.

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:25:38 +0000

*applauds*

Though it scares me how many of the people on The Restaurant (I nearly wrote The Apprentice there…) have absolutely no clue about how to make money, or apparently even that they should be making money – particularly, this last series, the chap who’d been regional manager for some chain, and ended up having 90%+ of his turnover as food costs.

And I’ll give her this: she spoke up for the people I wanted to win (won’t say who in case you’re still watching the series), who were kind of improbable in both foodie and business senses, but who were fun in a way that none of the others were.