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‘Crystal Palace is therapy': how London's hottest chef lets off steam

‘Crystal Palace is therapy': how London's hottest chef lets off steam

Times19-05-2025

In the lead-up to opening Lita, one of London's most successful new restaurants, Luke Ahearne, its head chef, ended up in hospital three times. He was working too hard, pushing himself to the point of exhaustion. Ahearne is a self-confessed perfectionist, a 33-year-old chef whose passion for the job is all-encompassing. Well, almost.
Because the highly regarded chef has another passion: Crystal Palace Football Club.
Somehow, despite the 70-hour weeks, he still finds time to help run the Fanatics — the Crystal Palace 'ultras' group that sits in Block E of the Holmesdale Road stand at Selhurst Park.
• FA Cup final live: Crystal Palace v Man City score and updates
The Fanatics, who wear all black and never stop singing, are more like football

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