The Crush: Matthew Barzun

Why, Mister Ambassador, you are really spoiling us! Ever since Matthew Barzun and his glamorous curator wife Brooke moved into Winfield House, the American ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, their legendary parties have got Crush begging for an invite. Not only have there been Ferrero Rochers on silver platters (we love a man who rolls with a joke), but also free-flowing Jack Daniel’s and snacks as outrageously ‘USA’ as a foam pointy finger. At last week’s Fashion Week bash (see page 5), even Victoria Beckham and Tom Ford couldn’t resist the star-spangled mini burgers.

The 44-year-old former Obama fundraiser looks like the ‘After’ in an Insanity fitness infomercial. That is, a guy who might have once been a bit diners-and-drive-thrus but now exists on green juice and the three-canapés rule. A hunky political heavyweight (whose middle name is Winthrop), he scores dude points for his vinyl collection, counting the Foo Fighters and Pharrell as Winfield guests, and for persuading his favourite band, The National, to play in his backyard.

Plus, Crush longs to give the Barzman an awkward half fist bump, half handshake for declaring recently, ‘I must have had lamb and potatoes 180 times since I’ve been here. There are limits and I have reached them.’ Matt, seriously, we just got the new Ottolenghi cookbook and you and Brooke are welcome to come over for a butternut tataki any time.