Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month This Month’s feature: Andrew Barkham is the newly appointed Head Chef at Gary Rhodes’ Michelin Star restaurant, Rhodes Twenty Four . He is no stranger to Gary’s kitchens, in total he has worked for over 11 years within two different restaurants working his way up to a now well deserved Head Chef role. Where have you previously worked? Which chef influenced you the most? What/where was your best ever meal? What’s your favourite cookbook? What is the next restaurant you want to visit? What’s your favourite produce to cook with? Who would be in your fantasy brigade? Where would you go on a stage? If you weren’t a chef what would you be? What would be your advice to anyone looking to get into the industry? Andrew, it’s a real pleasure to have you feature with Platinum Elite Chefs, a huge thank you for taking time away from your busy day good luck for in your new role! If you haven’t had the opportunity to try Andrew’s stunning food yet why don’t you try and recreate his Roasted Stone Bass Dish Enjoy!! See you next month Andy Roasted Stone Bass, Celeriac Cream, Girolle Mushroom and Hazelnuts Ingredients Celeriac Cream Method Hazelnut Sauce Method • Put the Noilly Prat and white wine in a saucepan, bring to the boil and reduce by three quarters. Service Method • Fillet the stone bass and ensure that all bones and scales are removed then portion into 120g portions. Before cooking remove the portion from the fridge 10 minutes prior to cooking to get better results. Dust the skin of the bass in flour and brush with butter. Assembly of the dish Using large serving spoons make a large quenelle of celeriac puree and place it at the bottom of the plate. Above and left of that place a small pile of spinach and the opposite side the baby leek garnish. Before lifting the stone bass portion on top of the spinach carefully arrange the girrole, hazelnut and chive on top of the fish, and just before sending spoon some hazelnut sauce over the baby leek which has been foamed. Serve extra sauce on the side. If you’re interested in working alongside top quality chefs such as Andrew Barkham send your CV to andy.sinclair@p-r-c.co.uk or call 01202 203150. |
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Friday, 2 December 2011
Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month This Month’s feature: Ben Spalding – Head Chef – Roganic Restaurant Find out more about Ben in our 60 seconds on the clock feature......... Ben where in the world are you from? Where have you previously worked? Which of these chefs influenced you the most? What/where was your best ever meal? What’s your favourite cookbook? But there is also so many, too many to name, a 3 star chef by Gordon Ramsay is also special to me as I was running larder section at the time it was made and helped do a good chunk of the photographed starters in there. What is the next restaurant you want to visit? What’s your favourite produce to cook with? Who would be in your fantasy brigade? Where would you go on a stage? If you weren’t a chef what would you be? Would be your advice to anyone looking to get into the industry? At the highest level i.e. Michelin, top London kitchens etc it’s a lot more, you must want to do it! It really isn’t the sort of career to do just as a job. I would like to send a massive thank you to Ben for taking part in our recipe feature and good luck with the future of Roganic! I would also like to thank Thomas Bowles for providing the photography of Ben’s Fantastic Cauliflower dish For more information on Ben Spalding and Roganic, check out the Restaurants website www.roganic.co.uk or follow ben on Twitter @Benspalding1 If you haven’t had the opportunity to try Ben’s stunning food yet why don’t you try and recreate his Golden Cauliflower dish. Enjoy!! See you next month Andy Golden Cauliflower, Sour Cream, Raisins, Lettuce and Yarrow Please note this recipe has been slightly changed as the current version on the Roganic menu is more refined and takes a bit more time to put together and execute. Ingredients Method • Mix apple vinegar, honey and thyme in a pot, reduce by half, keep warm and set aside Assembly • On a medium sized plate, squirt 5 evenly spaced dots of raisin puree | |
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month This Month’s feature: Shane Hughes – Head Chef – Roussillon - London This month has been an extremely busy month for us at Platinum so we thought we would treat you all to not one but two recipe features! Where would you go on a stage? 200g Cooled beurre noisettes 500g Sweet Pastry Method For the tart mix you need to mix the noissette butter with warmed syrup add to eggs, cream, salt mix, mix the bread crumbs, lemon zest and juice into the syrup and rest for one hour. Roll out the sweet pastry and blind bake on a silicone mat until blonde and then cool, cut out the pastry with a metal ring and set aside. For the custard boil walnuts with milk then blend then pass. | |
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month This Month’s feature: Adam Gray – Co-owner - The Red Lion – Northamptonshire This month I have the great pleasure of welcoming Adam Gray to our Monthly recipe feature. Adam has kindly taken time away from his role as the co-owner of the Red Lion in Northamptonshire to put together a recipe for one of his signature dishes. Adam held the Head Chef position at City Rhodes until 2003, where he maintained a Michelin star before opening Rhodes Twenty Four in the heart of the city. Under his direction, Rhodes Twenty Four was awarded the BMW Best New Restaurant and in 2005 was awarded a Michelin star. In 2007 Rhodes Twenty Four also went on to receive three AA Rosettes Adam left Rhodes in September 2011 to focus on his new role as co-owner of the Red Lion in Northamptonshire. Adam started his career as a chef within the Red Lion so its with great pride and reflection that he now co-owns the property and is instrumental in its future success. Adam is now determined to draw upon his previous experiences to provide fabulous quality, simple, affordable food within a great British traditional pub. Along with the Red Lion, Adams time is taken up with helping secure the next generation of Chefs through The Shires Cookery School, also based within the Red lion. For more information please visit www.shirescookeryschool.com I was born in Northamptonshire Which chefs influenced you the most? Ingredients 3 Sardine fillets Salad Cream 2tbsp Flour Method Tomato Dressing Method Presentation If you’re interested in working alongside top quality chefs such as Adam Gray send your CV to andy.sinclair@p-r-c.co.uk or call 01202 203150. |
Monday, 3 October 2011
Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month This Month’s feature: Daniel Galmiche – Executive Chef - The Vineyard at Stockcross – Berkshire This month I have the great pleasure of welcoming Daniel Galmiche to our Monthly recipe feature. Daniel has kindly taken time away from his role as Executive Chef at the stunning ‘Vineyard at Stockcross’ to put together a recipe for one of his signature dishes. Along with his extremely busy schedule ensuring the continued success of The Vineyard, Daniel has just seen the launch of his first book, the ‘French Brasserie Cookbook’ - published 1st September 2011. Daniel has also recently launched his personal website which went live on the 6th September – To view, please click the following URL www.danielgalmiche.co.uk Find out more about Daniel in our 60 seconds on the clock feature......... Daniel, where in the world are you from? Where have you previously worked? What/where was your best ever meal? What’s your favorite cookbook? What is the next restaurant you want to visit? What’s your favorite produce to cook with? Who would be in your fantasy brigade? Where would you go on a stage? If you weren’t a chef what would you be? What would be your advice to anyone looking to get into the industry? For more information on Daniel Galmiche and The Vineyard at Stockcross, check out the Hotels website www.the-vineyard.co.uk Daniel, it’s a real pleasure to have you feature with Platinum Elite Chefs, a huge thank you for taking time away from your busy day, good Luck with the book launch! If you haven’t had the opportunity to try Daniel’s stunning food yet why don’t you try and recreate his Saddle of Venison dish. Enjoy!! See you next month Andy Saddle of Venison with Butternut Squash and Duxelle of Mushroom Tartlet and Butternut Squash Pureé Serves 4 Ingredients • Venison Method Jus Method Tartlet Method Butternut Squash Puree Method If you’re interested in working alongside top quality chefs such as Daniel Galmiche send your CV to andy.sinclair@p-r-c.co.uk or call 01202 203150. | |
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month
This Month’s feature: Chris Lee – Head Chef - The Bildeston Crown – Suffolk
The Bildeston Crown has also achieved numerous prestigious awards including; Taste of England Award - 2009
Find out more about Chris in our 60 seconds on the clock feature......... Chris, where in the world are you from?
Where have you previously worked?
Which chef influenced you the most?
What/where was your best ever meal?
What’s your favourite cookbook?
What is the next restaurant you want to visit?
What’s your favourite produce to cook with?
Who would be in your fantasy brigade?
Where would you go on a stage?
What would be your advice to anyone looking to get into the industry?
If you haven’t had the opportunity to try Chris’ stunning food yet why don’t you try and recreate his Smoked Collar of Nedging pork dish. Enjoy!! See you next month Andy Smoked Collar of Nedging Pork, Roast Loin, Braised Lettuce and Artichoke Ingredients - Smoked Collar
Method
When the meat is extremely tender and falls apart easily it is ready. Remove the meat from the pan and set to one side to cool. Strain the liquid into a fresh pan and place on a stove to reduce. It should reduce by about half but check it regularly to make sure it doesn’t go too salty. Strain it into a tub and chill overnight, when cold remove any fat that has set on top. When the collar has cooled a little but is still warm remove the black layer of meat from around the outside and then cut into quarter’s length ways. Roll each quarter tightly in cling film so they are round. Set these in the fridge overnight. When they are set cut into portions. Place each portion in a vac pac bag with a spoonful of the cooking liquor and seal. These can now just be dropped into hot water to heat for serving.
Ingredients - Baby artichoke Barigole
Method
Ingredients – Braised Pigs Head
Method
Remove the meat from the liquor. Pick through this removing all the fat and bone, also any brain and the eyeballs.
While it is chilling blitz the chicken breast in a food processor with a pinch of salt. When it comes together in a smooth paste add the egg white. Pass this mix through a drum sieve into a bowl. Now fold in the cream. Add the cold head meat to this. Now shape this mixture into balls about the size of golf balls. Allow to set in the fridge for an hour or so, they then just need to be paned, these can then just be deep fried to serve.
Ingredients – Confit potato and Waldorf salad • 4 large new potatoes
Method
Ingredients –Lettuce puree and Minted Lettuce
Method
Ingredients –Braised Lettuce
Method
Ingredients –Crackling
Method
Pork Loin Method
To serve Swipe some of the lettuce puree on the plate and use a little to hold the head ball. Place collar on the wilted lettuce, cut the artichoke in half and lean a piece of loin on each, place the potato with the Waldorf salad on the side of the plate and lean a piece of the crackling up against the collar, drizzle a little of the collar liquor on the plate and serve.
If you’re interested in working alongside top quality chefs such as Chris Lee send your CV to andy.sinclair@p-r-c.co.uk or call 01202 203150 |
Friday, 1 July 2011
Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month This Month’s feature: Mark Poynton – Chef Patron – Restaurant Alimentum – Cambridge It’s an honour to announce that Mark Poynton, Chef Patron of Restaurant Alimentum in Cambridge has provided Platinum Recruitments Elite Chef Division with the recipe, methodology and pictures for one of his signature dishes. Find out more about Mark in our 60 seconds on the clock feature......... Mark Where in the world are you from? I am from the best part of England Chester (the North West.) Where have you previously worked? Prior to Alimentum I spent 7 ½ years at Midsummer House, and before that 1 ½ years at what was Juniper in Altrincham with Paul Kitching, and before that a few country house hotels in the north west area. Which chef influenced you the most? There have been 2 big influences in my career Daniel Clifford being the main and my very 1st head chef Ian Mcdowall. What/where was your best ever meal? I have been lucky enough to eat in some of the best Restaurants in the world so this is a difficult one with different answers, Most amazing experience was the kitchen table at El Bulli in 2005, and best food experience was Pierre Gagnaire in 2003. What’s your favourite cookbook? Modernist Cuisine Vol 4 at the moment. Who would be in your fantasy brigade? Daniel Clifford (Midsummer House) on meat, Russell Bateman (Colette's at the Grove) on fish, Matt Gillan (The Pass at South Lodge) on starters, Andy Sinclair (Platinum Recruitment) on garnish, Michelle Gillott (Sosa) on Pastry, Martyn Compton (Tanners) on the pass and me sitting in the restaurant eating what they cook. What’s your favourite produce to cook with? If you could go anywhere on a stage, where would you go? Alinea in Chicago. If you weren’t a chef what would you be? A really bad football player who dreams of playing for Celtic. What would be your advice to anyone looking to get into the industry? Knuckle Down and don’t be scared to ask questions, the day you stop questioning is they day you stop learning and improving. Mark it’s a real pleasure to have you feature for us so a massive thank you! For more information on Mark Poynton and Restaurant Alimentum check out the restaurants website www.restaurantalimentum.co.uk Mark is also cooking at The Loft Project in October 2011, for reservations take a look www.theloftproject.co.uk Why not recreate Marks Sirloin of beef & braised oxtail dish Enjoy!! See you next month Andy Sirloin of beef & braised oxtail, with mushroom puree and wilted spinach Serves 4 Ingredients Method Braised oxtail (Can be prepared the day before) Fry the oxtail in a little vegetable oil until golden then add the chopped vegetables & fry till golden. Mushroom Puree Wash the mushrooms in cold water and drain. Quickly break the mushrooms into small pieces using the pulse function on a blender. Sirloin Cut the beef into 4 x 120g pieces and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. To serve Colour the coated oxtail in a little hot oil until golden, then place with the beef in the oven at 160C for 3 minutes. If you’re interested in working alongside top quality chefs such as Mark Poynton send your CV to andy.sinclair@p-r-c.co.uk |
Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month This Month’s feature: Mark Jordan – Executive Chef – The Atlantic Hotel - Jersey Mark is extremely busy at the moment with the opening of his new restaurant ‘Mark Jordan at the Beach’, the launch of his first book ‘Mark Jordan's Ocean Voyage’ and not to mention running his renowned Michelin Star restaurant, with so much on I’d like to say a big thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Enjoy!! Sauce Grenoble Crab-crushed Jersey Royals Fish Velouté/foam Bread croutons To serve 10-12 caper berries Method Dover sole Fillet the sole by running a sharp flexible knife down each side of the sole’s backbone and slowly removing the flesh from the bone using delicate strokes of the knife. Flip over the sole and do the same again for the underside. Trim the sole, removing any straggly bits. Lay one fillet of sole in front of you on a chopping board – you will notice there is a thick end and a thin end. Lay another fillet on top of the first fillet the opposite way thick end to thin and repeat this three times – there should be in total six pieces of fillet stacked on top of each other. While the sole is stacked skewer two fillets together with cocktail sticks, using six in total. Roll each pair over and trim the ends square and then cut in half – that will be your first two portions, now the same with the remaining fillets. Place in the fridge to chill. Sauce Grenoble Chop the gherkins into small dice and mix with the capers. Add the lemon juice and parsley and reserve. Crab-crushed Jersey Royals Preheat the oven to 170°C. Fish Velouté/foam Bread croutons To serve Heat up the sauce and spoon some over the sole. Using a hand blender foam the fish veloute and also spoon some over the dish. Garnish with a few caper berries, the croutons and cress, and serve. |
Friday, 1 April 2011
Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month This Month’s feature: Antonin Bonnet – Head Chef – The Greenhouse - London Where have you previously worked? Which chef influenced you the most? What was your best ever meal? What’s your favourite cookbook? What is the next restaurant you want to visit? What’s your favourite produce to cook with? Where would you go on a stage? If you weren’t a chef what would you be? What would be your advice to anyone looking to get into the industry? For more information on Antonin Bonnet and The Greenhouse check out the Restaurants website: - www.greenhouserestaurant.co.uk Enjoy!! See you next month Andy Pigeons and jus Clean and flamber the pigeon. String them. And keep them in the fridge. Use the trimming to make the jus into a cooper pan Pomegranate reduction Reduce the pomegranate jus to the desired consistency. Break the pomegranate in halves and pick them. Keep in a cool place. Liquorice seasoning Mix both ingredients and chop them together until you get an even texture. Jus d’abat Pass everything through the fine griddle of the grinder, cook with a part of the pigeon jus and pass through a fine tamis. Check the consistency and season with some black pepper. Turnips Peel turnips. Cook sous vide at 80°c for 20 minutes. A la minute, cut one turnip into quarters and glaze with honey. Honey Glaze Put all the ingredients together and reduce to the proper consistency. Turnip purée Cook the turnip sous vide until tender and emulsify with the olive oil emulsion and the almond powder until completely smooth.. Salted almonds Mix all the ingredients together making sure the bowl is clear of all humidity. Keep in an air tight container away from humidity. Garnishes If you’re interested in working alongside top quality chefs such as Antonin Bonnet send your CV to andy.sinclair@p-r-c.co.uk |
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Platinum Recruitment – Feature of the Month Each month the team at Platinum Elite Chefs bring you an industry specific feature from one of the UK’s finest establishments. This Month’s feature: Phil Thompson – Executive Chef – Auberge du Lac - Hertfordshire Where have you previously worked? Which chef influenced you the most? What/where was your best ever meal? What’s your favourite cookbook? What would be your fantasy brigade? What’s your favourite produce to cook with? If you could go anywhere, where would you go on a stage? If you weren’t a chef, what would you be? What would be your advice to anyone looking to get into the industry? For more information on Phil Thompson and Auberge du Lac check out the Restaurants website: - www.aubergedulac.co.uk Enjoy!! See you next month Andy Poached Pear Method Roquefort Mousse To serve |