In the Kitchen with Spencer Westcott

Hi, Spencer! We’re so excited to be working with you on our new Recipe Boxes and Chef’s Gourmet Hampers. Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Spencer Westcott, and I’m a London-based chef. After having worked as a chef in a number of the city’s top restaurants and hotels – including The Ritz – I decided to focus upon culinary consultancy and catering, working also with The Artisan Food Company on their gourmet Recipe Boxes and Chef’s Hampers.

What first inspired you to pursue a culinary career?

I wanted to pursue a culinary career from an early age, but can’t really tell you why. I started my journey when there wasn’t the exposure to cooking and hospitality like there is now, but I did know that I wanted to train at the best college I could. I had the chance to study at 3 catering colleges and chose Thanet College in Broadstairs, Kent as I have always lived in the area and it was one of the top UK  catering colleges at the time.

How would you describe your culinary style?

Having had excellent hospitality training at Thanet College, I worked for over 20 years in the high-end London market and I would say my style is pretty mixed. I’ve run kitchens that have had Indian, Middle Eastern,  Thai and Chinese menus and I would say I can call on any of those flavours and influences – but always with a Classical French foundation.

Do you have a favourite cuisine?

Again, due to my training, it’s very mixed.  I like classical British and French dishes but also Thai and Chinese when done well.

What is your most cherished memory from your extensive culinary career?

Serving the Queen on one of her official visits to Kent, early on in my career, sticks in my memory, as well as some of the parties I have cooked for film or music stars. Everyone from Shania Twain to Madonna and Will Smith to Borat!

Why did you decide to work with The Artisan Food Company?

Working with the very best produce and artisan suppliers has always been important to me, and I’ve been lucky enough during my career to work with some of the best.

The Artisan Food Company share those same values, and as soon as the opportunity came up, it seemed like a perfect fit.

The search for sustainable and traceable products and artisan producers is never-ending and is something I look forward to sourcing and working together with The Artisan Food Company on finding.

Which is your favourite from your Recipe Box collection? Why?

It actually depends. The herbs and spices within the boxes we ensure are the best available and of the highest quality. This means that my favourite recipe changes a fair bit depending on who I’m cooking for and what I feel like eating! So, unfortunately, I don’t really have a favourite.

Why not try our delicious Tomahawk Steak Recipe Box, with San Marzano Tomato Salad and Rosemary & Parmesan Hand-Cut Chips?

Finally, do you have any cooking tips for those looking to get creative in the kitchen?

Read up and memorise a few basic recipes, and have these as your ‘go-to’ for different styles of cooking or ingredients. Using these ‘go-to’ recipes allows you to then experiment with new and interesting flavours and products.

Herbs can be frozen – don’t let them go to waste if you end up with extra sent in our boxes. Place them into a freezer bag and use as and when herbs are needed for a future recipe.

To release the juice from citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, roll them on a worktop and then warm them slightly in a microwave. 15 seconds is enough to release more juice than you thought possible.

Always season and taste as you go. This way, you will build up flavours as the food cooks.

Clean, clean, and clean… ‘If you work in rubbish, you will serve rubbish!’