Charlotte Scott, the Food & Beverage Development Director for KUDOS based at Central hall Westminster, has been hard at work again, for this month’s blog she’s interviewed our new Head Chef Daniel Melhuish. Danny joined the team in January, he will be leading the catering and kitchen brigade for the events space as well as our retail outlet, Wesley’s café.
Q: What was your previous job?
A: I was working as Executive Chef at the accounting firm BDO on Baker Street.
Q: What has been the biggest surprise about your career as a chef?
A: My whole career really as I have been lucky enough to work at some very high-end venues, with high profile clients and chefs.
Q: What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
A: That I collect rare and vintage vodka. I have about 80/90 bottles now in my collection. One day, I would love to have a bar and for them to all be in display.
Q: Who is your favourite chef?
A: Michael Caines – owing to the nature of his crash and where he is now. Just goes to show that if your confidence and beliefs are in the right place, then you can achieve anything.
Q: What world record would you break and why?
A: I’m an ex-footballer, so to score the most goals in the World Cup.
Q: Which five words best describe you?
A: Calm, passionate, loving, honest and reliable.
Q: Who would be your ideal dinner date?
A: My mother – sadly she passed away.
Q: What would you cook for your last supper?
A: My favourite meal which is fillet of veal with creamed polenta, wild mushrooms and pistachios.
Q: What do you like to do to wind down after a long shift?
A: Have a stiff drink, obviously my first choice is vodka!
Q: When did you know you wanted to become a chef and what was your first job?
A: I didn’t! I got to that age where my mum told me I need to get a job, so I started working at Payne & Gunter as a kitchen porter. One day, the kitchen were shorthanded and the Head Chef asked me if I could help them out. I started with very simple mise en place and it just grew from there.
Q: Melhuish is an unusual surname, where does it originate from?
A: It’s Cornish, but I grew up in Hounslow. My parents are both British, but my father’s grand parents were from the West Indies.
Q: What is you biggest passion, after food?
A: Football. I used to play semi-professional for Stevenage, but I had to stop due to knee problems. I don’t play anymore but I do support Arsenal.
Q: What would be your super power?
A: To make everyone smile 🙂
Q: If you were a biscuit which one would you be?
A: A custard cream.
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, which three items would you take with you?
A: My chef’s knife, my phone and some pictures.
Q: What do you like most about working at CHW so far?
A: The people, especially Glen one our our chef de parties!
