On the Spot with James Sturdy

A kitchen porter in a nursing home when I was 14.

If you weren't in your present position, what would you be doing?

A professional wine taster would be good, or, even better, a Michelin inspector, getting paid to eat in the best restaurants in the world.

What was your worst mistake?

I have made plenty of them but I don't regret them at all, I think I am a better person for it.

Describe your ideal day away from the office?

Running a catering company makes for a very hectic working life. I like to relax on my days off, and driving to the Yorkshire Dales with my wife and son and going for a walk with lunch in a nice pub.

Name the one person you would most like to have dinner with?

I would love to meet Richard Branson; he could pay as well. It would be great to have him try one of our award-winning pizzas and see what he thinks.

What was your best subject at school?

I wasn't very good at school but I did do quite well at French.

What would you do if you won the Lotto?

I don't think I could stop working, I would get bored. I think I'd take six months out to travel the world as I've had very little time to go anywhere so far.

What's your top time-saving tip?

Get up early, make a cup of coffee and spend half-an-hour planning the day – and don't let anyone stop you doing what needs doing.

What is your favourite time of day and why?

I like evenings with a good bottle of wine, knowing that I have achieved a good day's work.

What is your favourite item of clothing?

I received a T-shirt last Christmas with the logo "give pizza a chance" on it. I found it quite funny.

What is the best thing about Yorkshire?

I am very proud to be from Yorkshire, I love lots of things about it; the people, the countryside, local fresh produce, Black Sheep, Whitby fish and chips.

What would you like your epitaph to be?

I think Spike Milligan's "I told you I was ill" takes some beating. I'll let someone else write it, I'm not bothered about being remembered, really, just about doing my best while I'm here.

James Sturdy is owner of pizza delivery service boxpizza in Leeds.