“It’s just past midnight at the end of my third day as General Manager of Turl Street Kitchen, and I’m sat at my desk reminiscing about my journey from the late 1980’s selling penny chews, to the here and now……
“It was a cold, wet Sunday in 1989 when my best mate Higgsy called me up and asked me if I could cover his tuck shop shift at the social club, 12-2, £2 per hour, ON TOP of my £7 paper round money, I pretty much bit his arm off!!!!
“Little did I know that 30 years later I’d still be in hospitality, and at the age of 42 proudly taking over the helm of the iconic Turl Street Kitchen in Oxford, and what a ride it’s been!
After spending my informative (dare I say “younger”) years training be a Bar Manager and Restaurant Manager, Cocktail Bar Manager, Duty Hotel Manager and Sommelier.
“I then moved onto a big branded city centre site opening as General Manager, via running a renowned 2AA Rosette fine dining restaurant, and spent five years running the catering at Keble College.
“I fell on my feet in the summer of 2018 as the General Manager of the successful Woodstock Arms under the House of Jacobs umbrella: great location, great venue and simply the best returning customers, but when the opportunity arose from Turl Street Kitchen, I knew it was a call that required further attention.
“Turl Street Kitchen is a community focused venture that adheres to Oxford’s Good Food Charter (good for the planet, good for people, good for community) and is a Low Carbon Oxford Pathfinder committed to reducing carbon emissions.
“All of this runs in tandem with ensuring its sourcing, waste, procurement and community focus is at the forefront of its collective mind.
“Having just taken over as General Manager this is indeed an exciting time for both myself and the business.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming in many familiar faces and linking back up with the students.
“TSK hopes to continue to make everyone’s daily life just that little bit better, always with a smile, while aspiring to serve the best food, drinks and coffee Oxford has to offer.
“There are exciting times and changes ahead and I can’t wait to continue on this, the most fascinating journey of my hospitality career.”
Turl Street Kitchen, 16-17 Turl Street, Oxford. turlstreetkitchen.co.uk
