Celebrity chef Rick Stein left BBC Radio 2 listeners and fellow guests astounded during a live broadcast by describing what host Scott Mills deemed a 'dangerous' family Christmas tradition from his 1950s childhood.
The Shocking Revelation
While discussing festive preparations with Scott Mills and fellow guests comedian Maisie Adam and singer Rag'n'Bone Man, the 78-year-old restaurateur disclosed that his parents used to decorate their Christmas tree with real candles. Stein explained that this practice stemmed from his father's German heritage, despite being born in England.
'It's interesting actually, one of the things when I was little, we didn't have electric candles on the Christmas tree, right, because it was in the 50s,' Stein elaborated. 'My father was of German origin, so he had real candles.'
On-Air Safety Warning
The admission prompted immediate concern from the show's host. After Maisie Adam double-checked she'd heard correctly by asking 'On the tree?', Scott Mills swiftly intervened to caution the audience.
'Please don't try that at home, it was the 50s,' Mills warned listeners, recognising the significant fire hazard.
Adam continued to express her disbelief, remarking 'Real candles on a pine tree? That's an absolute recipe for disaster.' Stein defended the tradition by explaining that the candles were only lit for about twenty minutes under careful supervision, creating what he described as a 'mesmeric' effect when he and his sister were finally allowed to see the illuminated tree.
Further Festive Confessions
The chef, who was promoting his book Rick Stein's Christmas, further surprised the panel by revealing his preferred Christmas drink is a Negroni, typically served in a large glass jar with a tap for self-service at chef gatherings.
'It's genuinely dangerous around Rick Stein,' Mills joked in response. 'If it's not candles, forest fires, there's like free-pouring of Negroni!'
Stein also confessed that his Christmas Day pub visits often disrupt his family's meal timing, with Christmas lunch frequently being served around half past three rather than at the traditional time. The chef emphasised the relatability of his Christmas experiences, including moments when things go wrong, which he has included in his festive book.
