Harry Dutton, who chefs at his parent’s hotel The Queens Head, cooked for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on Thursday 18 April – a day that will live in his memory for a long time!
Harry splits his time between working 3 days a week at The Queens Head, and 4 days enrolled at Kendal College on his Level 3 Catering Course. As part of his course, he regularly prepares meals with the other catering students of Kendal College.
On Thursday, the team were responsible for The Annual Bob McGee luncheon, with Harry managing the Vegetarian main course. He had only the morning in which to create his dish: ‘Confit egg yolk, poached asparagus, hollandaise, mature cheddar cheese crisp with carrot puree.’
Harry was unaware he would be cooking for the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour party – when he found out, excitement took over: “I felt under immense pressure but it was so exhilarating, I had adrenalin pumping through me. Mr. Clegg even came in the kitchen and served some of the food!”
At just 18 years of age, Harry has a very mature outlook and plenty of professional experience, having worked for his parents for more than five years. Harry explains it was his father who made him want to be a chef, “My Dad is my inspiration and has taught me so much. He’s been head chef at a number of highly recommended establishments and now runs several businesses including The Queens Head where we work together. I hope one day to have my own Gastro-Pub in The Lake District.”
The Queens Head in Troutbeck is situated in a great location close to Windermere and is a traditional 17th-century Elizabethan Inn with gorgeous exposed beams and roaring log fires. The hotel has 14 bedrooms, many with 4-poster beds, and its bar was once an Elizabethan four poster bed in a bedroom in Appleby Castle! It features a delicious à la carte menu is prepared by owner Ian Dutton and his son Harry.