Victor Rowling - Freelance Chef

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Victor Rowling - Freelance Chef Commercial & Private Chef with a passion for food that goes right to the core. Food has the power to change our mood with a single thought. Edmunds. Thank you. X

A PASSION BORN
My relationship with food started as a young teenager in the most unexpected way. Living in a small rural Norfolk village, there was not a tremendous amount of access to fine foods; & yet, as a child, I discovered that food has a ‘secret power’. Imagine for a minute that you have your favourite treat for dinner tonight. Notice how suddenly you feel different, more positive & happier

. Imagine the anticipation of a trip to your favourite restaurant; suddenly, your mood lifts & excitement builds. Our family experienced one of the darkest periods in British history, which we called ‘the blackouts’—a direct result of the pay dispute between the government & the coal Miners Union. The strikes were long, violent & unsettling. A blackout meant no hot food, no school & no heating because gas was unavailable in our village then. I remember one blackout vividly; it had been long & cold. We were all huddled in the lounge one evening, wrapped in blankets & using candles for light, when the power came on in a flash. Immediately, our Mum shut herself away in the kitchen & set about preparing a hot meal for us. About 40 minutes later, she came through with plates of hot food—our first in what seemed like ages. I remember as she placed the plate on my lap how the heat warmed my legs & the steam rising carried with it a wonderful aroma. That’s really when I understood the secret power of food. I shuddered with what I can only describe as pure, undiluted joy as it coursed through my body. I remember thinking that if I became a chef & I could make one person a day feel like I do now, my life would not be wasted. My passionate relationship with food was born. I achieved my goal many times, so many people have told me on many different occasions, but one in particular genuinely stands out above the rest. I worked as the Executive Head Chef at a private school in Suffolk near Bury St. I’d started during the summer break just before the students returned for a new year. Some boarders returned on Sunday before their first day back in class. The traditional Sunday tea was a selection of baguettes, jacket potatoes, fillings, salads & dips. However, I thought it would be nice for them to return to something more comforting. I decided instead that I would prepare a traditional roast. Turkey with all the traditional trimmings, all fresh & carved to order. I set up the pass & waited for the first students to arrive. As it turned out, it was a group of 6th-form girls, about 6 or 7. Close friends & reunited at school. As they approached the counter, the girls at the front stopped dead about 10 feet away, gazing at the display; their conversation stopped; this was not what they expected. A slightly taller girl at the back couldn’t quite see, so she hoisted herself on her friend’s shoulders. As I watched, her face lit up & she silently whispered—WOW! I had to walk away for a few seconds to recompose as tears filled my eyes. My simple roast had done its job. George Bernard Shaw said: “There is no sincerer love than the love of food”. However, I believe that the sincerest love a person can show is to feed someone. This belief & passion underpins everything I produce, whether a sandwich or a gourmet tasting menu. I’ve always tried to inspire this passion in my teams & colleagues so that they can experience the joy I feel when I cook for my guests, knowing that it might just change someone’s day.

Mince pies & brandy butter, yum, yum, yum. 😋😋😋
24/11/2022

Mince pies & brandy butter, yum, yum, yum. 😋😋😋

Made my day! ❤️🙏
24/11/2022

Made my day! ❤️🙏

A fantastic evening at Scotgate Cottage Norfolk with Vivienne & her family. Thank you all for making it truly memorable....
24/11/2022

A fantastic evening at Scotgate Cottage Norfolk with Vivienne & her family. Thank you all for making it truly memorable. X❤️🙏

Wedding Inspire

Biscotti for a wedding. 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳🧑‍🍳
21/11/2022

Biscotti for a wedding. 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳🧑‍🍳

Cheeky little King Prawns, garlic & chilli on sourdough from Wednesday evening. So sweet! 🍤🍤🍤Wedding Inspire
20/11/2022

Cheeky little King Prawns, garlic & chilli on sourdough from Wednesday evening. So sweet! 🍤🍤🍤

Wedding Inspire

Absolutely loved doing this private dinner yesterday for Kelly & her family at Scotgate Cottage Norfolk.
18/11/2022

Absolutely loved doing this private dinner yesterday for Kelly & her family at Scotgate Cottage Norfolk.

Updated Commercial Brochure for Restaurants, Wedding Venues, Gastro-Pubs & Hotels
06/11/2022

Updated Commercial Brochure for Restaurants, Wedding Venues, Gastro-Pubs & Hotels

My new brochure for private dinner parties & other celebratory events.
02/11/2022

My new brochure for private dinner parties & other celebratory events.

A PASSION BORNMy relationship with food started as a young teenager in the most unexpected way. Living in a small rural ...
16/10/2022

A PASSION BORN
My relationship with food started as a young teenager in the most unexpected way. Living in a small rural Norfolk village, there was not a tremendous amount of access to fine foods; & yet, as a child, I discovered that food has a ‘secret power’.

Food has the power to change our mood with a single thought. Imagine for a minute that you have your favourite treat for dinner tonight. Notice how suddenly you feel different, more positive & happier. Imagine the anticipation of a trip to your favourite restaurant; suddenly, your mood lifts & excitement builds.

Our family experienced one of the darkest periods in British history, which we called ‘the blackouts’—a direct result of the pay dispute between the government & the coal Miners Union. The strikes were long, violent & unsettling.

A blackout meant no hot food, no school & no heating because gas was unavailable in our village then. I remember one blackout vividly; it had been long & cold. We were all huddled in the lounge one evening, wrapped in blankets & using candles for light, when the power came on in a flash. Immediately, our Mum shut herself away in the kitchen & set about preparing a hot meal for us. About 40 minutes later, she came through with plates of hot food—our first in what seemed like ages.

I remember as she placed the plate on my lap how the heat warmed my legs & the steam rising carried with it a wonderful aroma. That’s really when I understood the secret power of food. I shuddered with what I can only describe as pure, undiluted joy as it coursed through my body. I remember thinking that if I became a chef & I could make one person a day feel like I do now, & my life would not be wasted.

My passionate relationship with food was born. I achieved my goal many times, so many people have told me on many different occasions, but one in particular genuinely stands out above the rest.

I worked as the Executive Head Chef at a private school in Suffolk near Bury St. Edmunds. I’d started during the summer break just before the students returned for a new year. Some boarders returned on Sunday before their first day back in class. The traditional Sunday tea was a selection of baguettes, jacket potatoes, fillings, salads & dips. However, I thought it would be nice for them to return to something more comforting. I decided instead that I would prepare a traditional roast. Turkey with all the traditional trimmings, all fresh & carved to order.

I set the pass up & waited for the first students to arrive. As it turned out, it was a group of 6th-form girls, about 6 or 7. Close friends & reunited at school. As they approached the counter, the girls at the front stopped dead about 10 feet away, gazing at the display; their conversation stopped; this was not what they expected. A slightly taller girl at the back couldn’t quite see, so she hoisted herself on her friend’s shoulders. As I watched, her face lit up & she silently whispered—WOW! I had to walk away for a few seconds to recompose as tears filled my eyes. My simple roast had done its job.

George Bernard Shaw said: “There is no sincerer love than the love of food”. However, I believe that the sincerest love a person can show someone is to feed them. This belief & passion underpins everything I produce, whether a sandwich or a gourmet tasting menu. I’ve always tried to inspire this passion in my teams & colleagues so that they can experience the joy I feel when I cook for my guests, knowing that it might just change someone’s day.

Couple of images from Saturdays wedding. Old school ham hock terrine, soft boiled crispy egg, home made piccalilli. Picc...
13/09/2022

Couple of images from Saturdays wedding. Old school ham hock terrine, soft boiled crispy egg, home made piccalilli. Piccalilli prep & red onion marmalade prep. Just love the colours.

Slow braised Ox Cheek from Saturdays wedding. So tender, the jus was just delicious 😋
05/09/2022

Slow braised Ox Cheek from Saturdays wedding. So tender, the jus was just delicious 😋

Couple of images from the wedding on Saturday at Elms Barn.
28/08/2022

Couple of images from the wedding on Saturday at Elms Barn.

I've added my list of services to my new page with brief descriptions; feel free to check them out & please let me know ...
23/08/2022

I've added my list of services to my new page with brief descriptions; feel free to check them out & please let me know what you think?
Thanks in advance for your feedback. ❤️

One of my favourite desserts: Crème Brûlée Tart, Clotted Cream & Raspberries
22/08/2022

One of my favourite desserts:
Crème Brûlée Tart, Clotted Cream & Raspberries

As you all know I love to cook for you; so here’s an invitation to hire me out. Looking forward to helping you celebrate...
22/08/2022

As you all know I love to cook for you; so here’s an invitation to hire me out.
Looking forward to helping you celebrate your special occasions in style with a personal touch from the heart.

Private Dinner Parties
Weddings
Anniversaries
Birthdays
Ladies Lunches
Picnics
Barbecues
Tea Parties
Bespoke Cookery Courses
Etc.

Drop me a message & we can start to plan your special occasion.
Can’t wait to hear from you ❤️

22/08/2022
22/08/2022

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