Jeremy King, the renowned restaurateur behind iconic London establishments such as Le Caprice and the Ivy, reflected on his approach to parenting and the development of his daughter, Margot Hauer-King, who has followed in his footsteps into the hospitality industry. King emphasized the importance of fostering creativity and independence in his children while maintaining clear boundaries, describing a family environment that valued love and innovation over conventional stability.

King recounted raising Margot alongside her siblings Hannah and Jonah, noting their upbringing involved exposure to fine dining from an early age, including birthday teas at the Ritz and family dinners at his restaurants. This early familiarity with the hospitality world, he said, was integral to their comfort and confidence in such settings.

Describing Margot’s teenage years, King recalled her experimenting with different identities, including a gothic phase and rebellious acts such as staying out all night. When she expressed a desire to get her tongue pierced at 16, King engaged in a candid conversation about the implications, resulting in her opting for a tattoo instead. He also addressed alcohol in a pragmatic manner, encouraging openness if she chose to experiment.

Margot worked primarily at the Wolseley, another of King’s establishments, where he intended for her to learn resilience and emotional composure in dealing with difficult situations, such as managing demanding customers. King praised Margot as a free thinker who took time to find her professional path but displayed resourcefulness, discipline, and respect for others, traits that helped her avoid pitfalls like substance abuse that affected some peers.

In 2024, Margot, in partnership with Emmet McDermott, launched People’s, a bar-restaurant in New York. King provided guidance but noted that the young entrepreneurs possessed an intuitive understanding of the business. He advised them to prioritize kindness and enjoyment in their work, accepting setbacks as part of the process. He recounted an early challenge when the basement cloakroom flooded on opening day but stressed the importance of maintaining perspective and humor.

King highlighted Margot’s constant questioning mentality and dedication to improvement, praising her ability to focus intensely and look after those around her. He described a reciprocal learning relationship between them.

Reflecting on his own background, King shared details of his upbringing in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, and his unexpected entrance into hospitality after declining a chance to study at Cambridge. Starting his career at a Chelsea wine bar, he cultivated a personal style and charm that helped him establish some of London’s most celebrated restaurants, including the original Le Caprice in 1981. His journey, marked by calmness and stoicism in the face of challenges, has clearly influenced both his family and the hospitality sector.