Chef of the Month
Simon Rimmer is the chef behind Greene’s the
vegetarian restaurant in Didsbury, and Earle in
Hale which also caters for carnivores. Originally
from Birkenhead, Simon is an avid Liverpool supporter and retired player Jason
MacAteer is a partner in Earle. Simon appears on BBC2’s Something for the
Weekend on Sunday mornings, a new series starts on 31st August.
Fingers crossed for a good tail wind to allow Simon to
join the staff of Earle on their stand for the end of Taste Sensation on 21st
September.
What inspired you to be a chef?
When I was a student I worked as a waiter and enjoyed the buzz. In 1990 an
opportunity arose to buy a vegetarian cafe in Didsbury - we kept the vegetarian
theme and opened it as Greene’s. Originally I didn’t intend to be in the
kitchen, I was going to be front of house chatting up the girls but when we
realized we couldn’t afford to pay for staff I didn’t have much choice but to
start learning how to cook.
What did you find the hardest skill to learn?
Cooking in a commercial kitchen is an entirely different proposition to a
domestic one. So I would say learning how to deal with the volume and logistics.
What ingredient couldn’t you live without?
In no particular order; Vanilla, Sherry Vinegar, Potatoes and Butter.
What is the best/worst dish you have ever cooked?
When Greene’s first opened we cooked an aubergine curry which was so hot there
was no way we could serve it. After service we decided to eat it ourselves – it
was a mistake.
Who cooks at home?
We both do, in fact Ali my wife used to be a chef and I’ve learnt a lot from
her. |
Is there any food you won’t eat and why?
As a chef I will try anything, but having tried it I would never eat tripe
again.
What piece of kitchen equipment did you really want
then never use once you’d bought it?
I resisted the temptation to buy a bread maker when it was all the rage and am
glad I did. We have got an ice cream maker at home that never seems to come out
of the cupboard.
Is there any food you won’t cook and why?
Not really, although on holiday recently we saw some hump backed whales – I now
don’t think I would go out and buy whale to cook.
Favourite School Dinner?
Pink Custard! It came with a coconut sponge which was okay – but it was the
custard I really liked, allegedly it was strawberry flavoured.
Who would you most like to cook a meal for/Is there
someone or some special occasion you have enjoyed cooking for?
I cooked for my sisters wedding (at which I was also best man) which gave me
great pleasure. I would love to cook a meal for Kenny Dalgleish or mmm.....
Breakfast in Bed for Girls Aloud!
If you weren’t a chef what would you be?
In an ideal world I would play for Liverpool, in the real world a journalist
probably. I do quite a bit of writing already and really enjoy it, my interest
would lie with soft news.
To Book at Table at Earle in Hale
Call 0161 929 8869
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