After a first-class lunch at The Old Mill Restaurant, a friend and I were making our way out when we encountered the chef, who had temporarily come out of the heat of the kitchen.
We complimented him on the food and the conversation turned to folk's lunchtime requirements. He felt that they would rather just grab a baguette, rather than have a cooked meal. It occurred to me that any worker would feel rather sleepy and not much like work after a generous lunch such as we had eaten.
We talked for a bit longer and then I decided to ask for a portrait. He agreed straightaway: "Yes! Where do you want me?"
I thought in front of the bar, well-stocked with bottles and introduced myself and offered a short description of my strangers' portraiture. Meet Dean, the chef, also part owner of the restaurant.
Seeing me change a couple of settings on the camera, Dean said he personally is a bit lost with modern technology but his son works as a professional photographer. I took a few shots which looked OK and showed them to Dean.
The interview was cut short as Dean needed to check on a cheesecake. Before he went back to the kitchen he told me that he is married with two children and in his leisure time he is a football coach for the under-20s and also walks two young ladies, the family's cocker spaniels.
He obviously loves his work and his whole career has been as a chef. I took a restaurant card to send Dean photos and thanked him for his time. I look forward to the next visit to his restaurant in the market town of Botley.
"The interview was cut short as Dean needed to check on a cheesecake." I love that bit of the narrative, interrupted by a cheesecake :) A lovely photo of dean too
I hope that cheesecake survived!