Head Chef , The Samuel Palmer , Sevenoaks
FOOD + DRINK
MEET THE CHEF :
JAMES SOUTHERN
Head Chef , The Samuel Palmer , Sevenoaks
PHOTOS BY RUSSELL HARPER PHOTOGRAPHY
What led you to becoming a chef ?
Similar to a lot of people my love of food began cooking at home and with my grandma . Growing up in Wigan I have fond memories of hotpots , potato cakes and apple pies . This continued in my food technology lessons at secondary school , when I started to get more adventurous with my ideas . By the time I left school I had realised I wasn ’ t going to make it as a footballer , and pursuing a career as a chef was more realistic .
Where did you train ?
I carried out my formal training at Runshaw College , Leyland , Lancashire with an NVQ level 2 and 3 . However , I felt my real training started when I was getting hands-on experience working in restaurants . I ’ ve been fortunate enough to learn from a number of talented chefs and I ’ m grateful for how they shaped my culinary style .
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