ROBERT THERON

Orpington GPO , Orpington

What led you to becoming a chef ?

My earliest inspiration has to be the legendary Keith Floyd . I was taken with his classic cooking style and by the way he always had a glass of good French red in his hand ! My first foray into a professional kitchen was a job pot washing at a place called Cube in Johannesburg , South Africa . It was from working in that kitchen that I decided to train to become a chef .

Where did you train ?

I studied at the Culinary Institute in Free State , South Africa . I was then fortunate to work under Bernard Loiseau in France to refine my cooking technique .

Where have you worked before Orpington GPO ?

Aside from that pot washing job at Cube , I have worked at Test and Constantia in South Africa , before taking on roles at Thackerays and The Beacon in Kent .