He's the celebrated chef from Lime Wood who has worked in Michelin-starred kitchens all over the globe. Luke Holder of Hartnett Holder & Co talks love of pies and ice cubes in our weekly meet the chef column. What first inspired you to become a chef? "Serving food that is shared and enjoyed by all is just a passion of mine – there was a moment when I was on a bus journey from Nepal to India with my best friends and I decided that becoming a chef was what I was going to do.
My friends Richard and Sarah decided they were going to get into wine – fast forward a few years and they have their own vineyard in the south of France! What was the first meal you cooked for someone else? "Chicken and tomato soup – aged seven." Tell us a bit about your career so far..
.? "Born in the UK and raised in Dubai, I was determined to pursue a career in fine cuisine. After calling on chef Chris Galvin, I managed to work my way into the Orrery restaurant in London and later The Oxo Tower.
After I met my wife, we decided to move to Koh Samui, Thailand and had a wonderful time running a small restaurant in a fisherman’s village. Then to Dubai, working alongside molecular gastronomy specialist Stephane Buchholzer. After a year in the kitchen of three Michelin-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, I found my way back to England and finally Lime Wood, and in 2013 partnered with Angela [Hartnett] to create Hartnett Holder & Co.
" What is your proudest career moment to date? "Becoming a partner w.