I’m off to the Hospitality Action Question of Sport dinner at Wembley Stadium tonight. The idea is that guests get wined and dined, check out the stadium’s makeover and test their knowledge of sporting trivia, while the industry’s charity makes pots of cash.
I’ll report back tomorrow on what goes on. Meanwhile, to get in the mood, a few of us have racked our brains to contrive a ‘top ten’ of sportstars with hospitality connections.
Can you think of any we’ve missed?
Gordon Ramsay seemed set for a career-making sign-up to Rangers FC, before a cruciate knee ligament changed his plans. Lucky he could cook a bit …
Terry Venables Current England assistant coach, El Tel once owned a nightclub called Scribes West on Kensington HIgh Street.
Lee Dixon Former Fat Duck shareholder Lee Dixon still co-owns the Riverside Brasserie on Monkey Island.
Frankie Dettori This year’s Derby winner lent his name to the chain of restaurants he launched in partnership with Marco Pierre White.
David Coulthard co-owns Monaco’s “chic, affordable and accessible” Columbus Hotel with Malmaison mastermind, Ken McCullough.
Sir Alex Ferguson managed Fergie’s pub after his playing career ended. Downstairs bar, the Elbow Room was apparently named in honour of his robust style of play.
Together, Sir Ian Botham and Alan Lamb (AKA Beefy and Lamby), are the face of British meat.
Shoeless Joe’s Bars may not have worked out, but Victor Ubogu now runs a corporate hospitality company firm that’s got a packed summer and autumn schedule.
Roberto di Matteo followed his Chelsea career by opening two restaurants, Friends and Baraonda, a stone’s throw from Stamford Bridge.
(… to sound of barrel being scraped …) Christian minister and erstwhile heavyweight boxing champion of the world, George Foreman is now making the world a thinner place, thanks to his Lean, Mean, Fat-reducing Grilling Machine.