About Me
Food holds a special place in my heart, evoking nostalgic memories that transport me to cherished moments in time. As a wide-eyed child I marvelled in my grandparents’ butchers shop as they skilfully crafted sausages. I perched on the counter “helping” my nan create her mouthwatering pies. I can still say her pastry reigns as an epitome of perfection in my mind. Food has been an integral part of my life.
More recent memories include being blown away by the culinary wonders at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant or savouring a simple yet flawless pizza outside a traditional trattoria, basking in the Sicilian sunset. Good times and good food are intimately intertwined to me. They connect us to cherished memories and special people in a truly sublime way.
My lifelong journey in the realm of food and drink began in my teenage years. I collected glasses at a local pub and eventually progressed to bartending, managing pubs, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. I’ve worn numerous hats in this industry, from chef to doorman, trainee to trainer, bottlewasher to boss, and I’ve relished (almost) every minute of it. I’ve worked in vibrant city centre establishments filled with colourful characters. I’ve managed magnificent old pubs housed in historic buildings, charming restaurants nestled in quaint villages, and even lively nightclubs. For a while, I hosted events at the legendary Hacienda nightclub, but those tales are best shared face-to-face! I’ve even organised rooftop pool parties in Chicago, so you could say I’ve savoured many flavours from within the food and drink industry.
After a couple of decades, life took an unexpected turn when a chronic back problem led me to undergo surgery. This resulted in a very lengthy recovery period. Coupled with the global pandemic, this forced me to reflect on my future path. Instead of limiting my options by settling for a job within my existing experience, I embarked on a soul-searching journey to explore my passions. I had to decide how to best utilise them moving forward. It quickly became clear that food reigned supreme, igniting a profound joy within me.
This realisation led me to establish Fondere Cheesecakes, a small, local, artisan cheesecake company. Building on that inspiration, I’ve created this Stew Eats project. Through this platform, I aim to share recipes, reviews, and information about food, kitchenalia, and all things delicious.
Cooking for loved ones has always brought me immense pleasure, whether it’s crafting comforting everyday dishes or curating extravagant dinner parties. The satisfaction of delivering exceptional food and creating lasting shared experiences is an important thing about me and fills me with eternal pride. Seeing a smile light up someone’s face never fails to bring me joy. So whether it’s for family, friends, clients, or you, dear reader, my sincere hope is that the content you find on this website imparts knowledge and joy, enriching your life and enabling you to share it with those you hold dear.
Remember, life is a journey—eat your way through it and savour every bite!
