You’re what people call a celebrity chef – are you comfortable with being called that?
Please … I just said that to my kids and they put me straight back on my spot. Gordon Ramsay is a celebrity – I’m just lucky. I spent my time in the kitchen and I love cooking, and I’m so lucky, I get to travel to the city where I was born and showcase it to the world. For me, it’s a privilege, it’s an honour. I don’t take it for granted whatsoever.

For someone who is planning a trip to Paris, what would you recommend, to ensure their palate is fully satisfied?
Well, there is a great show coming out called Guillaume’s Paris, and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough for you, to base your trip around this show! But seriously … don’t eat 20 croissants in the morning, you’ve got a long day ahead. It’s all about balance. Pick some arrondisements that you want to go to, and don’t try to do too much in one day because you’ll be overwhelmed. Take the time to seek out a Parisian cafe with a nice glass of chablis, and just observe, you know? Go in a park, in the Luxembourg, sit on a chair, open a book. Paris is very special, but you need to embrace the moment, don’t rush rush rush. Look at the monuments, look at the architecture, my goodness, who built that?

It feels like a beautifully French way of looking at life.
Oh yeah, but you’ll see a hundred Parisians looking at you saying, what are you daydreaming, hurry up, I’m missing my bus. I’m just saying the ideal. Go to the market and just walk, buy a punnet of fruit, eat the fruit while you walk the market. Buy a baguette and a piece of cheese, and sit on the bench and say, is that what it’s all about? Why have I been waiting so long?

Do you find people have a lot of misconceptions about your country?
I heard that Parisians are quite arrogant and all that – I think it’s a misinterpretation. I think France is such a special country – La Republique, liberte, egalite, fraternite, that’s pretty special.

Guillaume’s Paris is on SBS Food, from Thursday, September 22, 7.30pm