Norfolk


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster1-2.jpg" alt="Head chef Frances Hartshorne at The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe" class="wp-image-39740" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster1-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster1-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster1-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster1-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-first-job-in-the-kitchen">Your first job in the kitchen?</h2>



<p>I was a kitchen porter for a restaurant in Stamford in Lincolnshire where I’m from. My friend asked me to help there for the night as their pot wash was sick, so I jumped in to help. I couldn’t stop watching the chefs &#8211; I wanted to experience the buzz and excitement that they were feeling and to give the customer that experience.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Career highlight?</h2>



<p>Making it to head chef and working in one place for so long. It&#8217;s unheard of in hospitality to work in the same place for so long but I guess I feel at home here, having worked my way up from commis chef &#8211; and helping achieve all the accolades that we have.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Your biggest influence?</h2>



<p>When I was at catering college, I looked up to so many great chefs &#8211; Roux brothers, Gary Rhodes, Gordon Ramsay, Angela Hartnett, just to name a few &#8211; but I’m actually in awe of all chefs, as we have such a passion and respect for the industry and bring many ideas. The whole hospitality world changed with social media.  Now that we can showcase what we do to each other in the industry, it spurs us all on to keep pushing to be bigger and better.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sum up your cooking style/ food philosophy?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster3.jpg" alt="View over The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe to the marsh-side bar" class="wp-image-39735" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster3-727x800.jpg 727w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster3-909x1000.jpg 909w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster3-768x845.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster3-477x525.jpg 477w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I want people to come to our restaurant and be like, wow, as they overlook the salt marshes. I hope they’ll fall in love with the experience, enjoy the most delicious, freshest and unpretentious food, and want to spend the whole day here and return. I like to keep the food fresh and simple, and showcase the best of local and of The White Horse.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Most memorable moment at work?</h2>



<p>Receiving the letter to say we had been placed in the <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/top-gastropubs-norfolk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 50 Gastropubs </a>awards. We are at number 34 which was a great achievement for the team and is just amazing in such hard times and with so many amazing places around. Also, retaining our 2 AA rosettes every year. I’m very proud of the team.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster5.jpg" alt="Food plated up at The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe" class="wp-image-39737" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster5-727x800.jpg 727w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster5-909x1000.jpg 909w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster5-768x845.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster5-477x525.jpg 477w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ever cooked for anyone famous?</h2>



<p>Yes, we&#8217;ve had well-known faces in The White Horse. Ross Kemp, Lord Alan Sugar, a few of the guys from <em>The Only Way is Essex</em>, David Cameron,&nbsp;Stuart Broad and Mollie King, for starters. I also cooked for some politicians when I was in college.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Your biggest mistake at work?</h2>



<p>Erm, when I was a commis chef I made a lemon tart with garlic cream. Needless to say I never did that again.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">You’re tired, starving and impatient: what do you cook for dinner?</h2>



<p>Cheese on toast, with a nice strong cheddar, Dijon mustard and Lea &amp; Perrins on a slice of sourdough.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What would you cook to impress a date?</h2>



<p>If I was cooking to impress, I&#8217;d make a 20oz dry aged côte de boeuf steak, with a whole Norfolk lobster with garlic butter, tiger prawns, chips, onion rings and salad to share. Using all that beautiful local produce.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster6.jpg" alt="Lobster and fish and chips on outside table at The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe" class="wp-image-39738" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster6-727x800.jpg 727w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster6-909x1000.jpg 909w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster6-768x845.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster6-477x525.jpg 477w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite chef?</h2>



<p>I don’t have a particular favourite chef. Years ago everyone looked to ‘celebrity’ chefs for inspiration and wanted to follow in their footsteps, but I believe things are different now with social media&nbsp;as we are surrounded by so much chef talent, whether locally, in the UK or worldwide. I take so much inspiration from other chefs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite cookbook?</h2>



<p>Hard one! I have heaps of different books with different types of cuisine and styles of cooking. I probably have too many really but I like simple cookery and recipes that let the ingredients speak for themselves. I still buy cookbooks regularly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite cuisine?</h2>



<p>I love all types of cuisine but I&#8217;d say classic good hearty cooking is one of my favourites&nbsp;&#8211; like your stews and bolognaise. I also love the flavours of Asian food.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite kitchen gadget?</h2>



<p>I&#8217;d have to say my filleting knife and my oyster knife, both custom made. My filleting knife was made by local craftsman <a href="https://www.instagram.com/c.kreetzer.knives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">c.kreetzer.knives</a> and my oyster knife was made by <a href="https://blenheimforge.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blenheim Forge</a>. Knifes can be expensive but you get what you pay&nbsp;for and they are like your babies, you want to look after them.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite local café? Restaurant? Hotel?</h2>



<p>One of my favourite places at the minute would be <a href="https://www.theoldstorenorfolk.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Store</a> in Snettisham &#8211; amazing fresh local produce cooked by awesomely talented chefs. They also make the most incredible sourdough which has won third place&nbsp;in the World Bread Awards.</p>



<p>There are lots of great restaurants around Norfolk and one of my favourites is <a href="https://duckinn.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Duck Inn</a> at Stanhoe, who just like ourselves have been named in the <a href="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/top-gastropubs-norfolk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 50 Gastropubs 2023</a>, so that’s awesome. I love <a href="https://www.number-29.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">No.Twenty29</a> in Burnham Market and their open-fire cooking. One place that’s doing amazing things at the moment is <a href="https://saracenshead-norfolk.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saracen&#8217;s Head</a> in Wolterton, near Empingham.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Your three favourite local markets and suppliers?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/Staithe-Smokehouse.jpg" alt="Staithe Smokehouse at The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe" class="wp-image-39746" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/Staithe-Smokehouse.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/Staithe-Smokehouse-727x800.jpg 727w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/Staithe-Smokehouse-909x1000.jpg 909w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/Staithe-Smokehouse-768x845.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/Staithe-Smokehouse-477x525.jpg 477w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>My favourite suppliers would be <a href="https://staithesmokehouse.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Staithe Smokehouse</a> &#8211; a little bias maybe as its onsite at The White Horse and owned by my husband Phil, but we have the most amazing smoked salmon and other smoked fish products.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.brancasteroysters.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brancaster Oysters</a>, again on our doorstep, are the most amazing creamiest oysters and are great all-year round. Ben and Cyril Southerland have been supplying us since I started here. We have a three day oyster festival in the summer and sell over 5,000 oysters! Then there is Tom Large, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brancasterbayshellfish/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brancaster Bay Shellfish</a>,&nbsp;with mussels &#8211; beautiful and the freshest! I have a great rapport with the local fisherman and that’s very important to me. We are spoilt with a lot of local fresh produce.</p>



<p>My favourite market would be Norwich Market. The food scene there has gone absolutely crazy over the past few years and you can get a wide variety of products and street food.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite things to eat when you’re on holiday?</h2>



<p>When we go away, we always look for the local butcher or deli and try the regional cheese, meat and fish. We have a nice little smörgåsbord of produce.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What mistakes do inexperienced cooks tend to make?</h2>



<p>I&#8217;d say a lot of inexperienced people try too hard and overcomplicate the dishes. Good food comes from great ingredients and it doesn’t need to be complicated. I think it&#8217;s important that everyone knows the basics of cooking and cooks with their heart.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster2.jpg" alt="The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe lit up at night" class="wp-image-39734" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster2-727x800.jpg 727w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster2-909x1000.jpg 909w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster2-768x845.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster2-477x525.jpg 477w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favourite ingredient and why?</h2>



<p>I don’t have a particular favourite. The best ingredients are the freshest, seasonal produce that&#8217;s as local as can be.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Most overrated dish or ingredients?</h2>



<p>Chillies are overused in so many dishes and I feel are not always used in the right way. There are so many different varieties but unless you have knowledge of the spice, you can just overpower the dish.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The dish you are most proud of creating?</h2>



<p>Our seafood platter is pretty famous and people travel for miles to come and sample it. It&#8217;s a really simple dish but a real showstopper, celebrating local suppliers and local ingredients. On social media it got 1.8 million hits and Tom Parker Bowles came to review it.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1100" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster4.jpg" alt="The famous seafood platter at The White Horse in Brancaster Staithe" class="wp-image-39736" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster4.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster4-727x800.jpg 727w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster4-909x1000.jpg 909w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster4-768x845.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/03/The-White-Horse-Brancaster4-477x525.jpg 477w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tell us your best ever cooking tip?</h2>



<p>My advice would be that it&#8217;s all in the preparation. If you&#8217;re prepared, you’ll succeed. Start with the basics and don’t over think. I always tell my guys and girls, we are just doing a bit of cooking, we aren’t changing the world.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three dishes every home cook should master?</h2>



<p>I think everyone should be able to master a roast dinner. It&#8217;s such a traditional meal that brings everyone together. Also a full English breakfast as it&#8217;s a staple and you can have at any time of the day, and a great fish pie. All good hearty dishes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>You can try Fran&#8217;s cooking at <a href="https://www.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Horse</a>, Brancaster Staithe</strong></p>


What’s cooking? Fran Hartshorne, The White Horse, Brancaster Staithe

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