The Secret Garden restaurant at Mersham-le-Hatch, near Ashford Kent, is delighted to welcome a new head chef Stephen Piddock who brings 20 years’ experience from some of the best hotels and restaurants in the South East.
Stephen, age 36 now lives in Folkestone, but grew up on Romney Marsh before beginning his training in London. He worked in Australia before returning to Kent and working at Chilston Park, The Bell at Sandwich and the Hythe Imperial.
Stephen Piddock comments: ”I am passionate about using local produce and we have some fantastic local suppliers literally on the doorstep here at the Secret Garden so we will be creating dishes to get the best out of those local, seasonal ingredients. We will also be increasing production in the restaurant’s own one acre walled garden to around 80% of the fresh produce used by the kitchen.”
Stephen will also be extending his skills to the restaurants’ own cookery school – the Kent Cookery School with a regular demo and dine evenings and courses for those looking to gain more advanced skills.
Stephen continues: ”Some of my own inspiration has been gained from working alongside really great chefs such as Michelin starred chef Ron Maxfield at Clivedon and Michael Wignall, the two Michelin starred chef at Penny Hill Park. Working with people who are really passionate about the quality of the ingredients and the food they serve is very inspirational. I have a great team here at the Secret Garden and it is a huge honour to be chosen for the role. I look forward to meeting customers both in the restaurant and at the Kent Cookery School”.
The Secret Garden is open daily from 9.30am and is available for hire for weddings and events. For further details about the wedding facilities on offer, for a full list of cookery courses or to book a table go to www.thesecretgarden.co.uk. Alternatively email info@secretgardenkent.co.uk or telephone 01233 501586
