Interview
AIMING HIGH Michael Caines tells Chris McGuire about the ambitious plans for his new Devon hotel, Lympstone Manor ’ll not be happy!” said one old lady, “ so everyone on the bus could hear, he ruins that place, Courtlands I “if House. Lovely it is!” Her companion nodded in agreement. “In fact, if he does, I’ll never watch his films ever again! He should stick to acting. Blooming Michael Caine!” I overheard this conversation between a pair of confused locals, just over a year ago. Today I find myself in the stunning surroundings of the renamed and renovated Lympstone Manor (formerly Courtlands House), the Westcountry’s new luxury hotel, talking to the man behind it all. Not the actor Michael Caine, of course - the chef Michael Caines. Indeed, Michael, 48, and I are seated in one of Lympstone Manor’s lounges – with beautiful views of the Exe Estuary – discussing the hotel, a project he clearly sees as the high point of an already impressive career. Born in Exeter in 1969, Michael was adopted soon afterwards: “I was adopted at the age of six weeks old into a loving family. I’m not a privileged kid. I didn’t get given anything, I’ve had to work for it.” Work he did. Michael attended catering college in Exeter and went on to train under likes of Raymond Blanc. At the age of 25, he had 16
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