41 28 MARCH 2024 Weekending ‘When I retired from football, cooking was my saviour because I felt lost, and I’ve stuck with it’ JERMAINE JENAS My weekend The former footballer and TV presenter, 41, lives in Hertfordshire with wife Ellie and children Geneva, 11, Olivia, 7, and Jacob, 2. He has a daughter Sancha, 16, from a previous relationship Rise and shine or lie-in? I get up and go, but my wife’s the opposite. When we’re on holiday, I’ll go to the gym, have breakfast, sometimes go for a walk, and when I get back she’s still enjoying her lie-in. Breakfast or brunch? I drink warm water with a slice of lemon, then put on the worst tracksuit I can find and take my dog, a beautiful Rottweiler, for a walk. When I’m back, I’ll grab a banana or a shake if I’m training, or have a big breakfast and train later. It’s mainly weightlifting, I jump on my Peloton every now and again, and I play a lot of golf. Productive or lazy? I’m not really a Monday to Friday person in terms of work, so when I have weekends o , it’s time to do the things I moan about not being able to do with the family. I like to watch my 11-year-old play football on Saturdays. It’s so nostalgic – I picture myself with my mum – but she’s doing it for fun. Cook from scratch or buy it in? When I retired from football, cooking was my saviour because I felt lost in terms of what to do. My first routine was picking the kids up from school and cooking, and I’ve stuck with it. I always do a Sunday roast – I make the Yorkshire puddings myself and recently did dinner for 12 with beef Wellington and a spin on all the veg. I love cooking. Pub grub or restaurant? I like a restaurant, but there’s a pub near us called The Rising Sun [in Mill Hill, north London] which ticks both boxes. It’s an amazing Italian – you could be in central London, paying extortionate prices, because the food is incredible – but it’s in a tiny quirky pub with beer on draught. Perfect. Why start presenting Formula E? I’ve always been across Formula 1, and love how Formula E is leading the way in sustainability – and unbelievable racing. Once I saw the level of excitement, I was like: “Get me in there!” You’ve got the danger, the speed, inner-city circuits in Tokyo, London, Monaco – and you can’t pick a winner. Every single race is so exciting. Cinema or stream at home? At home. I’m massively into Marvel and sci-fi films, and shows such as Game of Thrones for escapism, whereas my wife loves a soppy romcom and detective series. We try and flip-flop every weekend so each person gets what they want, and the other one usually falls asleep. Book, e-reader or audiobook? Books, all day long. The last one I read was Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the guy behind Nike. I’m a bit of a trainer head – I collect them – so that was brilliant. Early to bed or up all night? I’m working on getting myself to bed earlier, but I’m definitely a night owl. My missus has this amazing ability to be halfway through a boxset and go: “Right, let’s turn it o ,” and I’m like: “What do you mean? It’s just getting interesting!” Jermaine presents Formula E live on TNT Sports and The One Show on BBC One. Interview: Emma Higginbotham PERFECT MATCH Beef Wellington (top) is one of Jermaine’s favourites; The Rising Sun in Mill Hill, north London (above) Photograph: Stockfood
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