Anthony Telford is our favourite head chef. He is passionate about food philosophy, has a wicked sense of humour, runs a very well-managed kitchen, and is loved by the team. Many of our regulars already know about his pink frilly apron - he dons it while talking to guests. But there's a lot to the man behind the apron that most don't know about. Read on for ten interesting things about Telford...
1) He's a farm boy! He grew up on a farm with his parents and two brothers on the east coast Australia. His dad was an agricultural scientist.
2) DIY food: On the farm, his family milked cows, grew mixed berries, had a full avocado orchard of male and females, vegetable patches, and bred cattle. They picked and slaughtered everything they ate themselves... "If it moved, my mum would put it in a pot and bubble it!" Anthony said. "All this was happening at home before permeaculture became the "in" thing and before "organics" or "farm to table" became popular buzz words and phrases."
3) From Tragedy Came Triumph: Anthony's mum died from cancer when he was 14 years old. In a house full of farm boys - 3 brothers and a dad - someone had to prepare meals so Anthony stepped into the kitchen. It was the unfortunate start of what has become a very rewarding and successful career in food.
3) From Tragedy Came Triumph: Anthony's mum died from cancer when he was 14 years old. In a house full of farm boys - 3 brothers and a dad - someone had to prepare meals so Anthony stepped into the kitchen. It was the unfortunate start of what has become a very rewarding and successful career in food.
4) His Food Philosophy: All this helped to fuel his deep respect for food. He subscribes to the farm to table ethos and is committed to buying direct from the farmer as much as possible. "The farm-to-table philosophy has moved on from just being about our carbon footprint. It's more about supporting the local farmer, for us to all to feel more community-minded, and ultimately because we're getting rid of the middle man who is used to fondling our fruit and veg unnecessarily!" says Anthony.
5) Committed to diners experience: Anthony goes personally to Eveleigh Markets in Redfern each week (on his day off) to hand pick the best produce for PDR restaurant guests each week, direct from the farmer.
6) Fathers day is a big: Anthony Telford has SEVEN children! Hense the wicked sense of humour no doubt! At home, when the whole tribe is in, he is producing 27 meals (3 x 9 including himself and his now ex-wife)... that's 189 meals a week for immediate family alone!
7) Baked beans: "Chefs rarely get invited to dinner parties but I will eat pretty much anything someone else cooks... as long as its done with love. I'm very happy to be served up baked beans at a dinner party. If you're opening that can with love and you mean it, I'll eat it with joy!"
8) Dinner party advice: For home chefs, I'd say: "Don't show off for anyone... stick to what you know when friends are coming for dinner. If you feel like the lord of lasagne, stick with the lasagne and do it well!"
9) TV and Food Media: Anthony has done loads of it. He was a regular on Ready Steady Cook (channel ten), he was the David & Kim Show resident chef... and he's written two cook books!
10) New blog! You can catch Anthony's food and chef-like ramblings about fresh produce, farm fodder, kitchen capers and more each month on his new blog that will be included in our newsletter each month. Stay tuned to get a whole lot more of his knowledge and passion from October. Stay tuned.
To experience Anthony's farm to table inspirations, book for lunch or dinner at Public Dining Room today. Phone 9968 4880 or online at publicdiningroom.com.au
To experience Anthony's farm to table inspirations, book for lunch or dinner at Public Dining Room today. Phone 9968 4880 or online at publicdiningroom.com.au
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