Member of the Month July 2022: Olly Stains

Here at The Staff Canteen, we feature a different member every month we think deserves to be celebrated - this month’s winner is Olly Stains

As thanks for being a regular contributor to The Staff Canteen, Aaron will receive an item of TSC merch of his choosing and will be entered in our Member of the Year 2022 competition. The Staff Canteen Member of the Month feature is brought to you in association with Major.

1) Current place of work, position

I’m currently head chef at the Victoria inn, perranuthnoe, Cornwall

2) What is your cooking style and what should people expect from your food?

I would say my style is very much classic but using more modern techniques to get it to the plate. From the menu, people should expect lots of local seasonal produce cooked well and packed full of flavour.

3) What is your favourite dish to cook and why?

I wouldn’t say I really have a favourite dish to cook but living and cooking in Cornwall for most of my career has influenced me into loving cooking everything that comes from the sea.

4) Name a food item/dish/ingredient that isn't considered "cheffy" but that you love to eat

Not going to lie, I love a good chicken nugget.

Venison, squash, wild mushrooms, parsnip, blackberry

5) What do you like about The Staff Canteen app and website?

The staff canteen website is amazing, from posting my own food photos to seeing what the best in the business are up to, it’s all on there. Very happy I joined.

6) What are your plans for the future?

I have only been head chef for 9 months so going forward I’m focusing on my reputation and name at the Victoria inn, after that who knows, maybe a place of my own one day.

7) What are your thoughts on all the restaurant closures recently?

It’s been a hard time for hospitality with what has been going on over the last couple of years and very sad to see so many places closing due to that. It’s also been sad to see a lot of people moving away from working in the industry.

Cod loin, cauliflower, torched peas and broad beans,
samphire, nduja butter

If you want to feature in July's Instagram Top Ten, keep posting your great pictures on your TSC member's profile and using #thestaffcanteen on Instagram and we'll share the best!

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