[6] After completing basic schooling there, he moved back to England again to study for his A-levels and was considering following in his father's footsteps and becoming a property developer.
[5][7] After marrying Tania Coleridge, they honeymooned, trekking on horseback in Venezuela where, in 1993, whilst speaking to a beach umbrella salesman he was directed to the 1,000 acres (400 ha) cocoa farm, in the Venezuelan cloud forest, Hacienda El Tesoro[8][9] in the Henri Pittier National Park, near Choroni Beach.
[10][11] They eventually decided to sell his flat in London, and emigrated to Venezuela to purchase El Tesoro.
[14][15] In 2008, after being falsely accused, investigated and cleared by the regime of Hugo Chavez for exploitation of locals, they mothballed the farm temporarily.
[21] In December 2020, he appeared on Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster podcast alongside Joe Thomas discussing his method for cooking lamb as featured on Willie's Perfect Chocolate Christmas.