Twenty years ago this summer, a 39 year-old amateur chef, and self-employed artist/craftsman, stopped in a coffee shop, picked up the EDP, and saw an advert for a trainee chef at the UEA...
Chris had already been catering as an amateur for large groups of up to 100, including friends' weddings and church houseparties. Specialising in vegetarian cookery, he'd even run some cookery classes! (This was in the days before anyone with a spatula could start an Instagram cookery channel and have a million followers!)
Wondering if it would be possible to change career at somebody else's expense, Chris applied for the job and was interviewed by UEA Executive Chef, Stephen Wright, who was happy to give him a chance. Six months later, Chris was put in charge of the UEA's vegetarian nursery, with 90 under fives to cook for each day. Two years later, Chris was the recipient of two of the first ever Soil Association Nursery Cookery Awards, for the menu, and his first cookbook! The university also paid for Chris to qualify professionally at City college, undertaking the evening City and Guilds Diploma course.
The rest, as they say, is history, but it included being asked to take on the kitchen at River Green, after the departure of a head chef, and this led to Chris becoming a Director, and later taking control of the whole business. That first introduction to the River Green kitchen (having already been a customer,) was ten years ago, meaning that half of Chris' adult careers has been as a chef, and half of that time has been at River Green restaurant!
To celebrate twenty years, you're invited to a special celebration 'Chef's Table' event
on Friday 20th June at 7pm...
Chris will be preparing a special three-course menu along with canapes and welcome drinks, to celebrate some of his favourite ingredients and dishes. Some of the dishes may include elements from Chris' International Salon Culinaire award-winning plates! There will be special guests invited to the event and Chris will be explaining some of the stories behind the dishes, the restaurant, and his love of cooking!
Tickets are limited and subject to a maximum table of four per booking. Cost for the three course menu plus canapes will be £39 per person. We will be operating a pay bar during the evening.
Also check out other Food & Drink events in Norwich, Workshops in Norwich, Cooking events in Norwich.
