food & drink
MEET THE CHEF
GEORGE PAGET, head chef at The George & Dragon in Rowde, talks about mastering curries, great local suppliers and carp fishing! What was your first job in catering? My first job was working for an outside catering company called NUDLZ.
George Paget loves his carp fishing
Where have you worked previously? I have previously worked at Bowood House & Gardens near Calne. What were the first dishes you mastered? That would have to be a coconut curry and a vegan noodle dish cooked in traditional Chinese wok. Where do you source your produce and do you have any favourite local suppliers? All our produce is sourced as locally as possible, we use a wide variety of suppliers depending on what is in season at the time. We are also particularly well known for our seafood which comes up fresh from St Mawes in Cornwall. If I had to pick a favourite though I would say H F Stiles & Son the butchers. It's just down the road in Bromham, they have top quality produce and I spent some time working with them and they're great people too! The George & Dragon is known for its seafood
What is your personal favourite dish from your menu? At the moment my favourite dish on the menu is the crab & chorizo aranchini with pickled cucumber and bisque sauce. What is the most memorable event you have cooked for? I once worked at a local music festival, I worked all day and danced all night! When you get a day off, which local pubs and restaurants do you like visiting? I enjoy exploring different street foods and markets. When you cook for friends, what’s on the menu? Pasta, In my opinion you can't go wrong with pasta. A carbonara usually goes down well with friends. What is your favourite tipple? This is a tough one! at the moment I would have to say a spiced rum and
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coke, Kraken being up there! Your favourite kitchen gadget? My knife, it's been going strong for 10 years now and I'd be lost without it! Guilty pleasure? Carp fishing, if I'm not in the kitchen I'm on a lake somewhere! 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 sure you want it, it's not a job it's a lifestyle. To book a table at The George & Dragon call 01380 723053. • thegeorgeanddragonrowde.co.uk
"my favourite dish on the menu is the crab & chorizo aranchini with pickled cucumber and bisque sauce."
