'The best haggle I ever did was to get my wife' - celebrity chef Paul Treyvaud gives us a peak at his finances

Paul Treyvaud

Paul Treyvaud is a well-known chef who recently secured a major deal with Amazon Prime. Under that deal, his nine-part cooking series, Treyvaud's Travels, will be streamed into millions of homes across the world. Treyvaud's Travels features him cooking at various Irish beauty spots.

Treyvaud, who runs Treyvaud's restaurant in Killarney with his brother Mark, lives in Kenmare, Co Kerry with his wife and two sons.

What's the most important lesson about money which your career as a chef has taught you?

Never do anything just for money, because that way you'll fail. Do something because you love it - and the money will follow.

What's the most expensive dish you've ever eaten?

When I first started going out with my girlfriend (who is now my wife), we went to Puerto Rico. We went out for dinner and I ordered a full lobster from the restaurant's lobster tank.

This was over 20 years ago - and at that time it cost IR£140. I ate pizza and drank water for the rest of the holiday!

What's the most expensive country you ever visited?

Singapore. We went to Bali on holidays and stopped over in Singapore for a night. It was expensive.

Apart from property, what's the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

My car, which is a Mercedes. I'm not very materialistic though, and I'm not silly with money. I've never done anything which was purely motivated by money.

What was your worst job?

I loved every job I did. I've been working since I was 12. My worst job may have been the first time I went to Switzerland to work as an odd-job man in a hotel. But I ended up liking that - and so, eventually, the worst part of it was having to return home to Ireland.

What was your biggest financial mistake?

Putting a fiver on the dog in trap six in the dog races at Shelbourne Park - trap four won.

What was your best financial killing?

My now wife and I went to Jamaica - which is where I proposed to her. The three lobsters we bought in a restaurant there for $10 is probably my best financial killing.

Are you better off than your parents?

No - because they are aged 81 and 80. If I live older than that, I'll be better off than them.

If you won the Euromillions, what would you do with the money?

I'd have to pull it off that no-one knew that I'd won. I'd make sure to take care of the family that I like - and my friends.

Your favourite song or tune about money?

Money's Too Tight To Mention. That song reminds me of the recession we've just gone through -and of being self-employed at the time.

Have you ever made an insurance claim?

I made a small house insurance claim after a fire damaged a property I owned.

iTunes or Spotify?

I'm more into records. I love Prince and Queen.

Would you buy property now?

I don't think so. I'm happy with where I'm at. It's too much hassle having an extra property.

Do you ever haggle?

Probably the best haggle I ever did was to get my wife. She took convincing.

What's the best advice you ever got about money - and who gave it to you?

Only spend what you have. I got that advice from my dad.

What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt?

A nice glass of wine. Nice mature runny French cheese. The smile on my kids' faces.