We were out for lunch with a friend this week. The food was excellent. Just as we were having coffee, a young man in chef's whites came into the restaurant. He happened to mention that it was only his second full day working in the kitchen there. I could just imagine the beginnings of a story for a stranger portrait and found myself explaining my project and asking him if would participate. Introductions were made and Michael readily agreed.
We decided the best place for him to stand and I took a few photos. This is is a beautiful old building so it was mostly a matter of avoiding bright light from windows and overhead lights.
Michael told me he has worked as a chef in different restaurants and came to The Crown from his work with the military at Borden. He is glad now to work locally nearer to his home. I wondered about his interests outside work and he told me he likes relaxing and taking the family dogs, two German Shepherds, for walks.
He felt it was time for him to return to the kitchen so I gave him a card to contact me for photos and we parted company.
Owing to family commitments, my last portrait for The Human Family group was several weeks ago so, thanks to Michael, I have made a new start. I hope his new employment will go well for him.
A little historical note: in 1805, after the French were defeated by Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar, 4,000 French PoWs were brought to England. Admiral Villeneuve, the French Command in Chief, and 200 officers came to Bishops Waltham where the latter were housed, on parole, in local houses. Admiral Villeneuve himself stayed at The Crown.