1 Michelin Star Chefs: Allister Barsby, chef owner, Hide and Fox

Allister Barsby is the chef and owner of Hide and Fox in Saltwood, Kent.

Biography

Allister's professional journey can be traced back to his upbringing on the Kentish coast.

The grandson of a chef, Allister's first kitchen job was at the Wheelers Oyster Bar in Whitstable, working for chef Mark Stubbs.

He then went to work at Michelin-starred Read's restaurant in Faversham for three years under chef Ricky Martin, an experience he said was in many ways like an an apprenticeship.

Then began the chef's time working for The Seren Collection: after a short period working at Gidleigh Park, he went to Bath Priory to work for Sam Moody, and was there when it won a Michelin star.

It was also at Bath Priory that Allister met his partner Alice, who was the head sommelier there, and subsequently became the restaurant manager.

He then joined Michael Caines MBE once again as head chef at Gidleigh Park. He stayed for three years, during which time he earned an Acorn Award and retained the restaurant's Michelin star.

In 2018, Allister and his partner set forth to open their own venture, returning to Allister's home county of Kent.

The restaurant earned 3 AA-Rosettes in November 2020, followed by a Michelin star in the 2021 Guide for Great Britain and Ireland.

Hide and Fox

Though the chef admits that he and his partner would have liked to open a restaurant in Whistable, Hide and Fox's location in nearby Saltwood has so far served it well. 

Set in a former corner shop, the decoration bears some elements of its former purpose, such as the wooden shelves turned into wine racks, but overall has embraced a more contemporary look: white walls, large black and white photographic prints and marine blue furnishings.

The food at Hide and Fox is best described as modern British with inspirations drawn from European cuisines, using local, seasonal, Kentish produce and complimented by Alice's selection of wines from local estates and off the beaten path - such as Georgia, Croatia, Macedonia and Greece.

The Michelin Guide singles out the three following dishes as Allister's 'specialities': Dressed crab with curry, mango, cardamom and lime; loin and belly of Kent marsh lamb, romesco sauce, black olive and goat's curd; poached cherries, white chocolate tofu, pistachio ice cream and meringue.