Ray Winstone is dazzled by pan-fried Dover sole with buttery capers and shallots

A top bit of Lillian for an acting legend.

We’re delighted to host Ray Winstone at Dish for a meal fit for acting royalty. Ray, born and raised in East London, has starred on screens since his breakthrough role in Scum in 1979. Other credits from a storied career include That Summer!, Quadrophenia, Sexy Beast, The Departed and Nil By Mouth, alongside Kathy Burke and Gary Oldman. 

Ray has a strong connection to Sicily, and regularly spends time at his Italian retreat, where he lives with a degree of self-sufficiency growing fruit, vegetables, nuts and even making his own olive oil. As we find out, Ray has immersed himself completely into Sicilian culture, and takes time to swap notes with Angela about its benefits and idiosyncrasies. We also hear about Ray’s sweet tooth, his love of a rib of beef and slow cooked meats, and the joy of sharing sloppy pig trotters with pals. 

Angela serves up a Dover sole with buttery capers & shallots, inspired by this pan-fried plaice recipe, with sides of Jersey Royals and green helga beans. There’s also some of Angela’s own focaccia to help mop up any delicious buttery juices. The wine flows through the episode, beginning with a bottle of Recchia Amarone della Valpolicella, with M de Minuty Côtes De Provence Rosé the suggested pairing for the meal. Don’t forget the salted caramel truffles, too. They come along with the Goody Bag for the ultimate final temptation for Ray. 

Ray can be seen as crime boss Bobby Glass in The Gentlemen on Netflix right now, with Season 2 landing on 3 September. The show, directed and produced by Guy Ritchie, features a cast including Theo James, Vinnie Jones, Joely Richardson and former Dish guest, Kaya Scodelario. As we know from our chat with Natalie Portman, a set run by Guy Ritchie is always a tasty one, so what did Ray make of the catering?!

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All recipes from this podcast can be found at waitrose.com/dishrecipes

A transcript for this episode can be found at waitrose.com/dish

If you want to get in touch with us about anything at all, contact [email protected] 

Dish from Waitrose is made by Cold Glass Productions

00:00 Welcome!

02:16 Today’s guest

03:00 It’s capers season

04:53 Ray is here and is ready to eat

05:50 Jellied eels to gelato 

07:52 Ray meeting Angela for the first time

08:12 Living in Sicily 

12:01 Nick going to the wedding of Ray’s daughter

12:57 When in Italy… 

14:31 Ray’s food likes 

16:06 Can’t go West Ham without pie and mash

18:35 Caramel guilty pleasures

20:04 Ray is a keen cook! 

24:07 Growing own produce in Sicily

25:11 Food is served! 

27:29 Wine pairing 

27:51 The Gentlemen Series 2! 

31:20 Catering on Guy Ritchie’s sets 

33:09 On working with Guy Ritchie 

35:11 Reminiscing Ray’s big break 

38:30 Filming Nil by Mouth with Gary Oldman and Kathy Burke

41:20 Fast food quiz 

42:39 What’s a Gucci day?! 

45:46 End of the show question

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