Heston Blumenthal on overcoming the stress of running his business and coming back, 'bigger than ever'

Can we expect to see more of Heston Blumenthal in coming months? 

If his word is anything to go by, yes we are. 

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In an interview with The Telegraph, the chef explained how introspection has helped him find a new sense of calm and peace. Now living in the French countryside with his wife and youngest daughter,  the chef said he's “never been this energised and happy, ever.” 

Three years ago, the chef, known for his boundary-pushing food and eccentric personality, was diagnosed with a severe form of ADHD, or "a busy head" as he called it.

Then,  in 2017, the chef disappeared from the limelight amid rumours of a burnout. Unsurprising, as he had been working 120-hour weeks, opening The Fat Duck in Australia and Dinner by Heston in London  in the space of a year. 

An avid follower of the teachings of mystic and yogi Sadhguru, Heston said that he found his solace through contemplation. 

“Human beings need to connect to something,” he said.

“If they can’t connect with themselves, if they can’t connect with nature, if they can’t ­connect to people they love, they will connect with something, whether it is social media, drugs, alcohol, porn, computer games, shopping, anything." 

But now, he said, he's back. 

“Bigger than ever. With more clarity, with more energy, with more stability, with more creativity, with more excitement.”

As far as his involvement with the restaurant is concerned, the chef will remain on a backfoot, visiting The Fat Duck twice a month and calling the team weekly for brainstorming sessions. 

But as always, his development genius will drive the direction in which his empire grows.

The chef is building a combined kitchen and lab on his property in the Provence, which staff will be flown out to for collaboration sessions - and where he will continue experimenting with water, which he calls "the single most important ingredient in the kitchen."