Urbanologist and celebrity chef Tom Aikens shares with U his favourite tips and hangouts, giving U an insight into his 'Perfect Day'.

Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Tom Aikens became the youngest British chef ever to be awarded two Michelin stars (as Head Chef of Pied à Terre) and is behind some of London's most exciting restaurants, with several notable new international openings planned. Tom is also overseeing the gastronomic offering at the newly opened Soho Farmhouse. 

How do you start your day? By either being woken up by my daughters early on in the morning or the dreaded alarm call at 6-6.30am. Its more likely though the eldest waking us up at 6.30am, as she has this habit of coming into our room, early on in the morning...Then its either a quick breakfast, or a breakfast on the go depending on where I am working and where I am going. I will generally work from home in the morning at my desk for a few hours and then either go to one of the Tom's Kitchens. I would also sometimes go to the Imperial College to do some possible experiments or recipe testing, as I am working with a teacher called Peter Torok who is a physics professor at the college and, in conjunction with Electrolux and the college, we have created a food lab where we can do R&D, plus linking physics with food for the students - so its a great way to learn new things and also to teach. 

Leisurely lunch go to? Soho House's Chicken Shop or Dirty Burger are a favourite, as they totally capture the fast causal dining out experience, food that’s great on the go - very casual and fun, plus tasty!

Favourite way to pass the time in London? Generally on the weekend I am making something like a sour dough and I love making fresh bread on the weekend. This is then a whole day process so by the afternoon we have some nice hot bread for the weekend. I make it with a bitter beer and a little treacle, my eldest loves it toasted with honey.

Then we may make some gingerbread men as another favourite of hers is to make these, not sure if its got anything to do with the fact that I am a red head but she loves putting on the icing and sprinkles as she calls them. I try to do as much cooking with the family on the weekend as I can, as its such a nice way to get them involved with what I enjoy and it then reminds me of myself when I was young.

Going to the zoo in Battersea park is also a favourite with my two daughters and Justine, they love to see all the animals and play on the swings, even though they are 1.4 and 3.5 they love playing together, also feeding the ducks and watching them chase them around the park, after that a quick and easy lunch for them at a pizza place, as its one of Violettes favourites. I even will go the length some weekends of making home made pizza from the sour dough base I keep in the fridge.

Then once we have had a full day with the kids its then a little time for the partner and I, she and I will either have a date night out for somewhere nice to eat or we may hang out with some friends. I try to get out of the cooking in the evening for obvious reasons, so I can relax a little more. It could be anywhere from the Typing Room to The Clove Club.

Favourite London landmark, and why? Battersea power station even more so that its now getting that lick of paint it truly deserves. Its truly a london iconic landmark and recognised the world over, as Londoners we cannot wait to see it back to its former glory. 

Tipple of choice and favourite cocktail hangout? Has to be a Whiskey Sour at the Chiltern Firehouse bar 'The Ladder Shed', great food, of course, from Nuno Mendes and also its never to0 full to bursting point so you can have a proper conversation with each other.

Favourite dining destination, and why? Lee Wescott's Typing Room, he is a fantastic chef and is now hitting his stride, his food is great, full of flavour and meaning and also looks beautiful as well. Only thing is driving all the way to the east end can be taxing!

Final stop for a nightcap, and why? It could be somewhere like the Connaught Bar, as its a great bar - beautifully designed and it always has a great vibe, plus they do a wicked Whiskey Sour as well as some great little bar snacks, its very comfortable and always has the correct amount of lighting… as some bars are just too dark!

Rest hangover remedy? Drink lots of water and sleep or a good run can work just as well in the morning to sweat it out!

Where next on your travels? Work wise I am off to Hong Kong shortly at the Pawn in Wan Chai, that’s at the end of the month for ten days, then its holidays in France and Tuscany for a well earned rest. I have a new restaurant opening in Dubai called 'Pots, Pans and Boards' (check out Dubai's New Openings on Urbanologie) which is a family food sharing concept, then in November I have the Fat Pig opening in Hong Kong, which is a pork based casual-dining concept restaurant and will be based on Asian and western style pork dishes - the menu will be all sharing but broken down into sections of methods of cooking as pork is so adaptable. 

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