Chef profile: Jay Tanner, head chef at Twenty Eight in Chester

What was your best subject at school?

History

 

What was your first job?  

I worked in graphic design – a far cry away from the busy restaurant kitchen.

 

What was your first job in catering?

Kitchen porter

 

What do you normally have for breakfast?

It’s usually just a cup of coffee for me.

 

What do you do to relax?

I enjoy getting outdoors and playing golf. I’ve also started growing lesser-known varieties of chillies at home in my spare time.

 

Which is your favourite restaurant?

Either Next Door in Frodsham or Arkle at the Grosvenor hotel, Chester – some of the north west’s finest

 

What’s your favourite hotel?

Hotel Gotham in Manchester

 

What is your favourite drink?

I’d have to choose a cold crisp lager, perfect for pairing with salty snacks

 

What is your favourite food/cuisine?

I love both South-East Asian and French food. Travelling throughout Asia has really inspired my cooking style and I often incorporate flavours from across the region within my dishes. Whilst French cuisine is largely behind most of the classic techniques I use on a daily basis.

 

Which ingredient do you hate the most?

Might be an unpopular opinion, but it’s chocolate

 

What flavour combinations do you detest?

Ham and pineapple. I’m not a total traditionalist but pizza should be respected.

 

Which person in catering have you most admired?

Michel Roux

 

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?

My parents – they taught me how to be hardworking and introduced me to my love of food. When dining out as a family, I was always encouraged to try something different.

 

If not yourself, who would you rather have been?

Perhaps a cat, they’ve got it right. Sleep, eat, repeat.

 

If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?

If I wasn’t running the kitchen at twenty eight, I would be putting my efforts into growing and developing chutneys, oils, sauces etc. Keeping close to home in the consumer industry for food & drink!

 

Describe your ultimate nightmare?

It would have to be surrounded by snakes.

 

When and where was your last holiday

Gran Canaria

 

What irritates you most about the industry?

There are never enough spoons in the kitchen for tasting as you cook!

 

When did you last eat a hamburger?

A few days ago. Smashie’s in Chester if a firm favourite.

 

Who would play “you” in a film about your life?

Definitely Brad Pitt or Charlie Hunman

 

What is your favourite prepared product?

Cured meats. Jamón is a favourite of mine!

 

Who would be in your “fantasy” brigade?

Jack Gough – our sous chef at Twenty Eight.

Chef Nathan Davis – formerly SY23

Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen – Northcote

 

If you had more time, what would you do?

I’d definitely be playing a lot more golf, and growing more veg at home.