Flash-grilled: Paul Welburn
What was your first job?
I was in fact a chef… started early.
What is your guiltiest food pleasure?
Crumpets, Marmite and cheddar cheese.
What’s the best restaurant meal you’ve ever had?
Gastrologik in Stockholm; the food and philosophy was incredible.
What industry figure do you most admire, and why?
Well it’s a family... the Roux brothers; they have trained, inspired and helped evolve the food scene and chefs in the UK.
If you weren’t in kitchens, what would you do?
Either a forensic scientist or Professional Golfer (I wish); now there is a contrast in professions.
What is your biggest regret?
Probably not travelling more for work when I was younger. France was great, but I should have done more.
Pet hate in the kitchen?
People who lie, and people who quit.
What’s the oddest thing a customer has said to you?
‘We’re in a hurry, can you bag up the rest of our meal’... we’re not a takeaway!
What’s the dish you wish you’d thought of?
New York Cheesecake.I love a good cheesecake!
Describe your cooking style in three words...
Flavoursome, clean and seasonal.
Most overrated food?
Fast food takeaways
Restaurant dictator for a day – what would you ban?
Rude customers, mobile phones and no shows.
What’s the worst review you’ve ever had?
Only reviews I have had that are not great were on TripAdvisor, but I won’t lose any sleep over that site’s reviews.
If you could cook for anyone in the world who would you pick, and why?
My Family, they are the reason I do what I do (cliché, I know).
What advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?
Work hard, don’t give up, each day push yourself to be better than yesterday, and decide what’s important to you. Too many people enter this industry for the wrong reasons, so strive to be the best you can be.
Which single item of kitchen equipment could you not live without?
Vacuum Pack machine, they are so versatile.
What do you cook at home on your days off?
If I can help it I try to avoid cooking at home, let someone else do it for a change!
What’s your earliest food memory?
A frozen Chocolate dessert called ‘Lovelies’ my mum used to get us as a treat
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Work hard, as what you put into life you get back; this goes for life in general.
What’s the closest you’ve ever come to death?
When I was a child, I survived meningitis. I was young at the time, and have been told how lucky I am to be here today.
Where do you go when you want to let your hair down?
After years in this industry I have very little hair left (ha ha). Usually pub with friends and family, or a trip to the golf course.
Tipple of choice?
Love a Negroni! I’m a lager, gin or red wine man, but a Negroni really hits the spot.
What would you choose to eat for your last meal?
Has to be roast beef & Yorkshire pudding.
