After Dinner Speakers: Ben O'donoghue, The Tremeloes, Richard E. Grant

Aussie Ben O'Donoghue is co-presenter of BBC TWO's The Best, head chef at Monte's in Knightsbridge and Jamie Oliver's best mate. British-born Ben began his career working in Australian restaurants. These included Jo Jo's on the Jetty and Jessica's in Perth, Goodfella's in the trendy Newtown area of Sydney and the much acclaimed Tribeca in Double Bay, Sydney. Despite the pull of the sea, sun and surf of his home country, he was soon lured by the bright lights of London. It turned out to be a wise move. He worked at the River Café for four years before joining his best mate Jamie Oliver at the exclusive Monte's Club in Knightsbridge where he now works as head chef. Since January 1999, Ben has also been a consultant and food stylist to Jamie, as well as assisting him with various outside catering functions. These have included cooking for Tony Blair and the Italian Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street in 2001. He's most well known for co-presenting The Best with Silvana Franco and Paul Merrett, but has also appeared on BBC2's Saturday Kitchen and on Carlton Food Network's daily live show. Ben also presented a feature on Morocco for a programme called Planet Food for the American Food Network channel. When he's not in the kitchen he practises pilates. He also loves game shooting and goes surfing regularly (though probably wishes our waters were a little warmer!).