Meet the chef: Chris Eden, Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon

Chris Eden is the Executive Head Chef at the award-winning Gidleigh Park in Devon, he tells us about his culinary experiences and inspiration

What is your earliest food memory?

From a young age, for as long as I can remember, all I have ever wanted to be was a chef. I remember experiences including making cakes with my Nan (her saffron buns were legendary), to making lasagne with mum, and helping my dad run his outside catering units, I’ve never seen queues like he attracted!

How would you describe your approach to food?

I would describe my cooking style as produce driven, by the very best suppliers that I can find in the west country, while the Gidleigh Park team say my style is ‘beautifully laced with touches of adventure and invention, creating plates where flavour is king’ – I’m not sure who said this about my cooking, but I will find them – ha ha! It’s a lovely description of my dishes to read, and I’m lucky that I very much love my job, and that dishes still come to me in my dreams!

Who's your food hero, a chef who's inspired you?

I think I’ve been very lucky to have worked with, and for, some amazing people, who have inspired me to be the best I can be. I loved working for Kevin Viner when I first started out on my journey which led to me moving to London and have been lucky enough to cook alongside chefs including Phil Howard, Chris and Jeff Galvin, Brett Graham and Marco Pierre White.

I think our suppliers are a huge part of Gidleigh Park - people including Michael at Chocolarder, Ian at Warrens Butchers, or Jack at Wing fish, and even our own Paul, Gidleigh Park’s gardener. Our garden team have a huge impact on me and the way we work, without them we wouldn’t be where we are today, they deserve huge thanks and are an inspiration to me.

A memorable cooking experience?

I remember Princess Diana coming to The Lanesborough when I worked there and being in charge of her new potatoes and asparagus, and also cooking for the Rolling Stones at The Wolseley, but last summer as a family we had a awesome day on the beach, jumping off the local harbour, playing on our paddleboards and when it came to dinner we had takeaway fish and chips and sat on the beach, it was perfect.

Your favourite dish on the current menu?

That’s a tricky decision! But I will say that the ‘Honey, mead and white chocolate’ we have on the menu is very close to my heart.

A favourite dining out spot in Devon?

John Hooker at the Cornish Arms in Tavistock is a firm favourite. As a couple we love to stay at Boringdon Hall in Plymouth as the spa there is awesome and Scott Paton is a genius at Acleaf. The Tanner brothers never fail for fantastic food as well, and we also love Simon Hulstone (The Elephant, Torquay) and Elly Wentworth (The Angel, Dartmouth). Lots of great places to choose from!

What do you love most about Devon?

How passionate, lovely and enthusiastic people are and how the seasons are a bit different, because of the temperatures we have here on Dartmoor.

A down-time/go-to meal you like to cook/eat at home?

I’m a sucker for squid, and the kids love spaghetti carbonara or mac and cheese, or pizzas on the Ooni.