The globetrotting General Manager

I love meeting true globetrotters and better still, ones that have lived in plenty of cool places and still chosen Roquefort les Pins as their home. Just so Fredrik Aspegren General Manager of the Columbus Hotel in Monaco. Fredrik was born in Madrid to Swedish parents and has lived in South Africa, India, San Francisco, Sweden and Switzerland. He says he’s made up of continents & experiences and knows how fortunate he is.

DH: So what brought you to this place?

 Fredrik: Actually I wasn’t meant for the hotel world initially. My mother wanted me to go down the diplomatic route, but one college holiday I came back from Geneva to Sweden declaring I wanted to be a cook. In those days it didn’t have nearly the same pazzazz as today and so hotel school followed.

The David Coulthard & Ken McCullough partnership brought me in to develop Columbus in Europe four years ago, and I’ve lived in Roquefort with my wife, who’s English, three children and dogs for the last two years.

DH: You have a beautiful house. Did you have to do much to it?

Fredrik: Yes, we are both good at buying a ‘disaster in a good area!’ We loved the land and have spent two years getting it to how we want. We really enjoy the garden, the view and how low-key Roquefort can be. It’s easy to stay under the radar here and people like that privacy. With just a strip and no centre it’s different to the surrounding towns. It certainly suits us and also reminds us of our home in South Africa.

DH: What’s the best thing about living in France?

Fredrik: For me, coming back to something familiar. I have the language and so I’m comfortable with the culture even though there has been a 20-year gap! This area in particular is so accessible to the rest of Europe which really suits us as a family. It’s quiet and green, but close to the motorway (to get to Monaco) and the airport (for visitors) – so it ticks all boxes.

DH: Is there a ‘worst thing’ about living in France?

Fredrik: I would certainly recommend anyone contemplating the big move take French lessons before they get here as language can be a barrier.

DH: How many languages do you speak?

Fredrik: French, Swedish, English, Spanish, a bit of German, Afrikaans and of course I can get by in the other Scandinavian languages too.

DH: Do you feel like you are here for good?

Fredrik: We love it so I think it will always be a base.

DH: Do you have a favourite food?

Fredrik: They cook so well here with so much finesse. You can go to most restaurants and get very good food. You can’t beat the simple pleasure too I love French cheese so just a piece of Reblochon and some bread - delicious!

DH: Do you have a favourite gadget, object or thing?

Fredrik: I love kitchen gadgets and I collect knives, like oyster knives.

(Fredrik shows me a metal object which was a present from his mother.) It must cause great consternation and amusement, and he names this as his favourite gadget. Eventually, after some guessing, I discover it’s an egg opener. The idea is that you sit it on top of your egg and let the heavy ball drop three times and voila the top of your egg has been perfectly cut open.

Fredrik: I unwind and de-stress when I cook and I like getting inspiration from recipe books.

DH: You must know plenty of celebrity chefs, do you have a favourite?

Fredrik: Rikard Nilsson the award-winning Swedish chef. Not only is he a great chef but he’s also very down to earth in the way he passes on knowledge.

DH: For those who haven’t yet experienced it, can you explain what you do at the Swedish Church’s Christmas Fair?

Fredrik: My dad and I run the oyster & champagne stall. We wanted to bring a little something local into the mix at the best price. It’s for a great cause and it’s even encouraged the French to come along too. So my dad, myself and a couple of helpers don our aprons and it’s a bit of fun. The produce is straight from the sea, we do the pick-up very very early and bring the very best to the event.

• The next fair will be at the end of November & you’ll find details on this site closer to the time.