Meet the Chef at The Longs

MEET THE CHEF

JAMES WILSON, head chef at The Longs in Steeple Ashton, talks about mastering steaks, serving up roasts for friends and cooking in Bogota.

What was your first job in catering? I started out, like most, as a pot washer..

Where have you worked previously? I’ve worked around the south and southwest of England, Finland and Sweden. Notably, Michelin starred Grön in Helsinki and 2 Michelin Star Oaxen Krog in Stockholm.

What was the first dish you mastered? It has to be steaks. About a year into my career, I was put onto the grill section at a busy bistro doing

James Wilson

around 150 covers a night so I had to learn quickly!

Where do you source your produce and do you have any favourite local suppliers? We source our meat from local game dealers and Ruby and White butchers in Bristol, and vegetables from Heritage Fine Foods in Devizes.

What is your personal favourite dish from your menu? I really like the pollock and asparagus with potatoes and a beurre blanc mixed with wild garlic oil, raw asparagus and pickled shallots. What is the most memorable event you have cooked for? It would be the Four-Hands Dinner I cooked in Bogota, Colombia at Cuarto Frio with Koldo Miranda and my boss at the time, Magnus Ek from Oaxen Krog. Such a cool restaurant.

Which local pubs and restaurants do you like visiting? The usual spot for a day off is The Castle Inn in Bradford On Avon, it's just round the corner from home.

When you cook for friends, what’s on the menu? It’s usually on a Sunday so a roast dinner does the job.

What is your favourite tipple? Jubel Peach Lager.

Your favourite kitchen gadget? I wouldn't be without a PacoJet, it's a great bit of kit!

And your guilty pleasure? It'd have to be cheese and beans on toast with a couple of fried eggs and brown sauce.

To book a table at The Longs in Steeple Ashton call 01380 870245.

• longssteepleashton.co.uk

At The Longs you'll find flavour driven dishes with something for everyone

A warm welcome awaits you, your family & your dog at THE WILTSHIRE YEOMAN

Serving local ales, delicious home cooked breakfasts and traditional Sunday lunches. Why not try our popular two-course lunch from £12pp.

For our latest events, including live bands, please see our Facebook page or website. Tel 01225 765370

Chilmark Road, Trowbridge, BA14 9DD

THE ‘SHOES WINS PUB OF THE YEAR!

Landlord Shaun Dobson and the team over at The Three Horseshoes in Bradford on

Avon have been celebrating being named Bath & Borders CAMRA

Country Pub Of The Year 2022! With well over 300 pubs and bars in the branch area competition was fierce, but The Three Horseshoes, which is known as both a great real ale pub and a vibrant live music venue, won the day. Shaun says, “We are absolutely chuffed to bits to win this award, it was totally unexpected and completely lovely to be recognised by CAMRA. I’d like to thank the hardworking team we have here and our very loyal locals for their continued support. It is great that we can be recognised for both the quality of our beers and as a popular local live music venue too, and it also goes to show that you don’t have to serve food to run a successful pub!”

The Three Horseshoes, situated next to Bradford on Avon train station, always has a range of three real ales to sample, they are changed regularly and are mainly from local breweries, although Shaun does like to occasionally bring in other interesting beers from further afield. He adds, “The ceiling of our pub is covered with beer clips from breweries that we have used from all over the UK and beyond, and I can say I have had at least a pint of every one of them! We love our real ales at The Shoes, and it’s great to support local independent breweries too.”

• Find them on Facebook

James Honey (left) presenting Shaun with the award

SUMMER AT THE GEORGE

The George in Bradford on Avon is the perfect place to visit when you want some great tasting food. As well as a lovely interior and open kitchen, it also has a sunny courtyard garden that’s ideal for catching some rays on a warm afternoon. It also boasts a secret summerhouse, and, if the nights get a little cool, they have snuggle throws and burners to keep you warm.

The George has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes for its food and also boasts a 4 gold star AA rating for its luxury apartments. Head chef Alex Venables specialises in producing delicious seasonal dishes using great local meat and game, with fish coming from Brixham. To accompany your meal they have a carefully selected wine list, lovely local ales and a wide range of spirits too – including lots and lots of gins!

The George hosts a ‘Thursday Supper Club’ on the last Thursday of each month with four courses for £35, booking is essential. Alternatively make the most of a sunny Friday or Saturday afternoon and treat yourself and a loved one to a delicious afternoon tea (£22 per person – booking essential). They also offer an eat-at-home version, packed in a lovely display box and perfect for a picnic, costing £14pp, (minimum of two persons).

The George is open seven days a week from 9.30am for breakfast, coffee and cake. Between 9.30am and 11am Monday to Friday you can also enjoy a complimentary chocolate brownie with your coffee.

The George offers a craccking afternoon tea

LYN & ANDY HOBBS WELCOME YOU TO THE RISING SUN

We are a traditional country pub offering tasty homemade food, real ales & ciders REGULAR LIVE MUSIC AND EVENTS!

• Beer garden • Homemade food served daily • Local real ales & ciders • Gluten free menu • Steak deal • Traditional Sunday roast • Takeaways • Live music • Large car park • Open 7 days a week

61 Woodmarsh, North Bradley, Trowbridge BA14 0SB 01225 776545 therisingsun-northbradley.co.uk f

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• Wadworth Real Ales • Covered & Heated Beer Garden • Takeaway service • Children & Dog Friendly • Gluten Free & Coeliac Menu Available • Large Car Park • Homemade Smaller Portions from £7.50 • B&B Accommodation

Please call us on 01225 782581 or book online

OPEN: Wed - Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-4.30pm FOOD SERVED: Wed - Sat 12-2.30pm & 5.30-8pm, Sun 12-3pm 01225 782 581 • theoldhamtree@gmail.com • theoldhamtree.co.uk • f

Wiltshire Inns features two historic town centre properties that both offer character and charm alongside a warm friendly welcome. Both hotels are great places to head for drinks with friends or to enjoy some tasty homemade food in a friendly atmosphere.

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 century coaching inn is a great place to socialise. With a mix of local residents, hotel guests and tourists the inn has a vibrant atmosphere with animated conversation, live entertainment and plenty of comfortable seating. The bar offers a range of local beers and is renowned for its fine selection of whiskies and spirits including over 20 gins for you to sample at your leisure! The hotel also boasts The Thai Chilli Restaurant, where the team of Thai chefs serve up delicious homemade Thai food alongside the pub’s traditional menu.

oldbellwarminster oldbellwarminster www.oldbellwarminster.co.uk