A 40 something, amazingly happily married father of 3, living my best life here on this incredible Island.

The Isle of Wight has always felt where I belonged, coming here every year on family holidays, it was always my destiny to live here and by far the best decision I/we as a family, ever made. Not only have I embraced the Island and Island life, but the Island has also embraced me. I’m heavily involved with a number of amazing local charities and host regular charity fundraising Supper clubs for these along with multiple other fund raising activities.

I’ve always loved food (at times too much), I left School and went to catering college for 2 years (1994), gaining my qualifications, however I didn’t pursue this as a career choice, instead going into the Automotive industry, a very successful and long career, including running my own business with my wife, where we enjoyed huge success and growth before selling the business to move to the Island. I’m still involved in this industry today and love what I do.

In 2012, when I moved in with my now wife Nancy, I started to cook again, using cook books and you tube videos and got my passion back in a big way. Cooking for friends and family, everyone loved it and my confidence grew. I’ve also had some amazing training, including multiple sessions at the Raymond Blanc Cookery School at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, including with Raymond himself and the world class Benoit Blin for a masterclass in pastry. 

Along with an appearance on Chanel 4’s “Come Dine with me” – which was an amazing experience!

Someone suggested I started to host “Supper clubs”, where I cooked for people I didn’t know, which would really give great feedback on my food in an unbiased way. So I did, I never expected anyone to come, but everyone I did sold out with a waiting list!

So, moving to the Island, my dream was to become a private chef here and continue my Supper clubs. I Did both, with huge success. Now, the universe has aligned to bring me into my own dedicated space, a truly amazing and unique venue where I can hold my regular supper clubs, The Dining Room in Gurnard.

“There’s a reason its in season” is one of my favourite sayings. My food has to be seasonal, as local as possible and here we are blessed with incredible food grown here, produced here by talented and passionate people who deserve all the praise for what they do. I love using the local produce to create simply wonderful food. You certainly wont get strawberries in January with me!

Along with food, my hobbies include Running – I’m a London Marathon finisher – networking – socialising – walking my lovely dog Lula and spending as much time as possible with my family. I’m a very happy man.

So that’s a bit about me, I hope to meet and cook for you in my amazing Dining Room soon.