It's Coming Home
Derbyshire Life|November 2019
Feasts fit for an England football team – Tim Barker, head chef of the Hilton at St George’s Park near Burton upon Trent, explains why great food is a recipe for success at this four-star hotel
Kerryanne Clancy
It's Coming Home

It definitely takes dedication and passion to become a chef – 16-hour days, pressure to deliver hundreds of perfect dishes in a hot working environment, all while trying to inspire a kitchen team of varying experience to produce a peak performance in order to offer the best customer dining experience. Not for the faint-hearted certainly, but an environment in which Tim Barker feels perfectly at home as Head Chef at the Hilton at St George’s Park Hotel on the Derbyshire border, set in 330 acres and once home to the Bass brewery family.

Tim became acclimatised to the challenges of his future career from a young age, having watched his father in action as an Army chef. This role took him and his family all over the world, before a post at RAF Stafford brought them to the Midlands.

‘When I was a child I wasn’t much of a fan of school and when I was given the option of going to school or working,’ Tim recalls, ‘I did think about going into the Army, but it didn’t really fit in with what I wanted to do, so I went to Stafford College to study catering. That’s where I met my partner and I started work straight after.

‘My first big job was at the Duke of Bedford’s hotel in Woburn where I was a chef de partie. I stayed for five years and left as a junior sous chef. It was a new hotel and became a fine dining hotel.’

After that first post Tim worked in a wide range of restaurants all round the country, which included serving up Michelin-style food at the Woburn Estate, fine dining at The Priest House Hotel at Castle Donington and holding the position of Head Chef at Swinfen Hall Hotel. More recently Tim was Resort Head Chef at Alton Towers, an incredibly demanding role which involved providing meals for guests at all six resort kitchens.

Bu hikaye Derbyshire Life dergisinin November 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Derbyshire Life dergisinin November 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

DERBYSHIRE LIFE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Can Plants Hear?
Derbyshire Life

Can Plants Hear?

In the latest in his series on the intelligence of plants, Martyn Baguley analyses whether they have the ability to hear

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2020
Peak National Park and Ride
Derbyshire Life

Peak National Park and Ride

Andrew Griffihs asks what the future holds for transport in the Peak National Park and talks to Julian Glover about his Landscapes Review

time-read
8 dak  |
November 2020
Doubly thankful
Derbyshire Life

Doubly thankful

Mike Smith explores the village of Bradbourne, which has a particularly poignant tale to tell

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2020
What lies beneath
Derbyshire Life

What lies beneath

Exploring the hidden depths of Ladybower Reservoir, which conceals secrets of a fascinating past

time-read
9 dak  |
November 2020
Battle for our birds
Derbyshire Life

Battle for our birds

Paul Hobson analyses our complex relationship with birds of prey and how these fascinating birds are fairing in Derbyshire

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2020
Explore the Peak Forest
Derbyshire Life

Explore the Peak Forest

A walk through autumn fields and forests with far reaching views enriched by snippets of mystery, romance and the area’s industrial past

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2020
Pictures to transport you
Derbyshire Life

Pictures to transport you

Chesterfield photographer David Keep continues his photographic journey, this time recalling his favourite landscape images from around the world

time-read
6 dak  |
November 2020
The magic of Christmas
Derbyshire Life

The magic of Christmas

Ideas for days out, gifts and where to find local produce in Derbyshire this festive season

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2020
PENNY for the Guy
Derbyshire Life

PENNY for the Guy

We take a look at Derbyshire’s bonfire tradtions through history

time-read
7 dak  |
November 2020
From hardship came happiness
Derbyshire Life

From hardship came happiness

Pat Ashworth speaks with Chesterfield based retired Colonel John Doody about his inspiring life, from a diffiult childhood to overcoming diversity and finding happiness

time-read
7 dak  |
November 2020