Catering for Sports Stars: The Stressful Life of an Ex-Formula 1 Chef

Catering for the culinary needs of some of the world’s top drivers in Formula 1 is an extremely stressful job, as Dave Freeman, an ex-Formula 1 chef, can attest. For about 20 years, Freeman traveled to different countries nearly every week, working for teams such as Tyrrell, Jordan, BAR, Force India, Brawn, McLaren, Red Bull, and Toro Rosso. His career took off after he left the Army and started working for a catering company that partnered with Honda. During his time in Japan, Freeman’s speciality in sushi made him popular with the drivers, including seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. Freeman shares fond memories of his interactions with Schumacher, who was a fan of Japanese food and would often request a plate of sushi after qualifying. Despite the demanding nature of the job, Freeman reflects on the changes in F1 hospitality over the years, from cooking in garages to the luxurious, multi-million dollar motorhomes. Now, Freeman has transitioned to a new phase of his life as the owner of a golf course in Norfolk, where he pays homage to the sport that defined his career by naming the holes after famous drivers.