Sat Bains, the chef who put Nottingham on the UK's culinary map, is celebrating 25 years at his acclaimed two Michelin-starred restaurant in Lenton Lane. We spoke to him about the highs and lows, the legacy of young employees who have gone on to have their own highly successful careers and how the aroma of a jacket potato van inspired one of his celebrated dishes. "It's been mad - 25 years have flown by and we've enjoyed it and there's been ups and downs, but ultimately am I still excited walking down that lane? Absolutely.
Am I giddy about tonight's service? Yes. Are there down times? Yes but 90 per cent time I'm positive and motivated," says the man behind Restaurant Sat Bains. Always striving to improve and "never taking your foot off the gas" is at the heart of it all, says the 53-year-old chef.
Two Michelin stars, award after award, seeing the successful careers of young proteges, and still being relevant and in demand 25 years down the line in these precarious times are amongst the highs of his stellar career. Having seen a number of his peers shutting their Michelin-starred restaurants, he says he doesn't want to rub their noses in it but at the same time it's a landmark anniversary worthy of celebration. Over the next 12 months Sat will be collaborating at his restaurant in Lenton Lane with some of the country's most renowned chefs including Michel Roux Jr, Paul Ainsworth, Tom Kerridge and Clare Smyth.
The first event, earlier this month, saw the return of some of wha.