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Si King on Grief, Friendship, and a Life of Flavor
29 Mar
Summary
- King learned to cook with his mother to cope with grief after his father's death.
- He and Dave Myers bonded over food and motorbikes, riding 650,000 miles together.
- King endured an 18-month recovery from a brain aneurysm, making a cup of tea difficult.
Si King, one half of the beloved Hairy Bikers duo, recently appeared on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, discussing his profound connection to food, family, and his late best friend, Dave Myers.
King's culinary journey began in childhood, using cooking with his mother as a way to process the grief of losing his father at the age of eight. He emphasized that cooking "was the way of mam showing her love and care," instilling in him the philosophy of cooking with heart.
His formative years were also marked by a love for motorbikes, a passion he shared with Dave Myers. Together, they embarked on countless adventures, accumulating 650,000 miles on their bikes, a testament to their enduring friendship that began in 1992 on a TV drama set.
King also revealed personal health struggles, including a brain aneurysm in 2014 that led to an arduous 18-month recovery. He described the debilitating fatigue that made simple tasks, like making tea, incredibly challenging.
Reflecting on Myers' passing in 2024, King spoke of enduring grief and the ongoing impact of losing his best mate. He shared his support for Myers and his wife during his illness, highlighting Myers' resilient spirit.
Beyond his personal reflections, King discussed his commitment to ethical business practices at his Sunderland restaurant, Propa, emphasizing local sourcing within a 60-mile radius and paying staff above the living wage.
