Meet Steve Wall

This month Steve Wall, a chef from the Midlands, who is bringing his homemade English cakes and biscuits to Nantes with his new venture Little Britain.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
My greatest achievement WILL BE to speak French and be understood!
My achievements so far would be completing my round-the-world trip in one piece: finishing the London Marathon and seeing my beautiful daughter Alice been born.

WHAT MAKES YOU GET OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING?
Now that I am older and wiser I no longer ‘snooze’ the alarm as I have some help with a 4 year old jumping on us !!

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU, TO DATE?
Not so much lessons but experiences. I always try to give people a good chance at doing things but I have learnt that you should not let them take advantage of you.
It also better to try new things than be left wondering “what if”. The last one – always treat people as you wish to be treated.

WHAT OR WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE?
Who: my wife Laetitia, my daughter Alice, my parents, sister and friends.
What: We are trying to bring Alice up to be a positive member of society (and perhaps my running shoes!)

IF YOUR APARTMENT WAS ON FIRE? WHAT WOULD YOU RESCUE APART FROM YOUR LOVED ONES.
My computer for internet access! Pictures of my wedding and my running gear.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FRENCH EXPRESSIONS? WHY?
For those of you who have met me you will know that my French is still poor so and can’t really comment on this one. I will say though that the expressions I heard whilst renovating the apartment would not be suitable for this page - but they were very funny.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT LIVING IN FRANCE?
Nantes is a great city, great transport, parks, cycle/running routes everywhere, good restaurants and reasonable prices.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE DAY IN FRANCE?
This happened before we moved to France, but it was our wedding day and the reception held in a chateau just by The Loire.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SHOP IN NANTES?
The bread shops, I love fresh crusty bread I also love the food markets, the smells and just looking around at all the different products from the region.

HOW DO YOU RELAX IN NANTES?
We like to go with Alice to the Chateau grounds for a picnic, we also love Pornic and Noirmoutier and as much as it sounds crazy I RUN A LOT!

WHERE DO YOU LIKE EATING IN NANTES?
The pizza place by the TNT theatre, Au Vieux Quimper in the Bouffay area, fantastic Creperie (you must keep room for the very original but filling dessert!), the Vietnamese restaurant in Commerce and you have to try La Cigale at least once it’s a wonderful brasserie with beautiful déco and food.
Plus, of course, being a chef - my own food - sweet and savoury.

WHAT MADE YOU JOIN THE KNOWING NANTES NETWORK?
A friend of mine, Libby was already a member and suggested I join. Seemed like a good idea, and it was!