Meet the Chef at The Three Daggers

MEET THE CHEF

MATT MANNS, head chef at The Three Daggers in Edington, talks about mastering a cheese souffle, building chocolate rollercoasters and sharing a dram or two of whiskey with friends.

What was your first job in catering? My first ever catering job was as a kitchen porter at a restaurant on Bournemouth pier when I was 16. Where have you worked previously? Most recently at the Museum Inn, a country pub in north Dorset, well known for its local game. What was the first dish you mastered? The first dish I properly perfected would have been a cheese souffle. I still use the same recipe today. Where do you source your produce and do you have any favourite local suppliers? We use Walter Rose & Sons for our meat and Lovejoys for our veg. Lovejoys is a fantastic wholesaler sourcing the best produce from local farms within as little as a 15 mile radius.

Matt Manns

What is your personal favourite dish from your menu? My favourite dish would be the pan fried cod with braised beans and chorizo. It's a simple dish that packs in so much flavour. What is the most memorable event you have cooked for? I once did a cooking demonstration at Thorpe park, building chocolate rollercoasters for a corporate event. Which local pubs and restaurants do you like visiting? The George & Dragon in Laverstock is great and Mother & Wild in Corsham do fantastic pizza!! When you cook for friends, what’s on the menu? Something simple and flavourful that we can share like tapas or fajitas. What is your favourite tipple? I’m a big whiskey fan and love to share a glass or two with friends. My favourite is King Alexander III Dalmore. Your favourite kitchen gadget? A thermomix - it’s great for making purees, gels and emulsions that can really elevate your dishes. Finally, if there was one piece of advice you could give to someone who wanted to start a career as a chef, what would it be? Be passionate, learn and absorb as much as you can and stick at it. There will be days where you want to give up but keep pushing and eventually you’ll have enough knowledge to be running a kitchen of your own! To book a table at The Three Daggers call 01380 830940.

Wiltshire Inns features two historic town centre properties that both offer character and charm alongside a warm friendly welcome. Both hotels are ideal for business travellers, leisure travellers and families and dogs are welcome. Coach parties are also welcome with prior arrangement.

The Swan Hotel is a charming grade II listed coaching inn located in Bradford on Avon near Bath. Known locally for its traditional pub food and selection of ales, The Swan is also home to The Thai Chilli Restaurant renowned for serving mouth-watering authentic Thai cuisine and pub classics 7 days a week. It is open for breakfast from 8am and serves food all day until 9pm. The Swan also offers 12 stylish and well-appointed rooms making it the ideal place to stay when visiting Wiltshire or Bath.

theswanbradford _theswanhotel www.theswanbradford.co.uk

This gorgeous 14th centure coaching inn has 16 comfortable en suite rooms, each furnished to a high standard and equipped with the little extras that make your stay a trully memorable one. There is a selection of bedrooms ranging from doubles to superior family rooms, each offering outstanding comfort for short or long stays in Warminster. The hotel also boasts a pub, bar and The Thai Chilli Restaurant, where our team of Thai chefs serve up delicious homemade Thai food alongside the pub’s traditional menu.

oldbellwarminster oldbellwarminster www.oldbellwarminster.co.uk