We take a quick look into the life of Kikkoman Masters 2018 finalist Fergus Wilford.
Name: Fergus Wilford
Age: 26
Current Restaurant: Andre Garrett at Cliveden
Previous Restaurants: Montagu arms, Le Manior
Hometown: Bournemouth
Favourite Hobbies: rugby and cycling
Favourite Cookbook: eleven Madison park book
Favourite Kitchen Gadget: vita prep blender once you make a puree with that then there is no going back.
Kikkoman Masters Dishes -
Starter: Teriyaki salmon with pickled cucumber, golden beetroots and wasabi and avocado puree.
Main: Quail poached in master stock with butternut squash, Pak choi and shimeji`s.
What is your first food memory: baking cakes with my mum when I was 7.
Did you grow up in a cooking family? Yes my mum cooked almost every night and we would sit around the table
Who has influenced your cooking the most: the head chef at the montagu arms, matt Tomkinson because he taught me how to cook proper ingredients with little fuss.
Why did you become a chef? I have always enjoyed eating and cooking from a young age so it was the obvious thing to do.
Where did you train? Bournemouth and Poole college
What did you want to be when you grew up? My dream job when I was growing up was to be a professional rugby player
Who are your favourite chefs? Michel roux senior, Jason Atherton, Daniel Clifford
Other than your restaurant, what is your favourite restaurant? The coach, Marlow. Simple great tasting food.
What music do you enjoy cooking to: when I’m in the kitchen in the morning on my own I listen to red hot chilli peppers.
What was the last book you read? Sat Bains, too many chiefs only one Indian.
What is your favourite ingredient (apart from Kikkoman Soy Sauce): veal sweetbreads.
What do you think is the next food trend? Vegetarian cooking because protein is getting so expensive and health eating is becoming popular.
What food is your guilty pleasure? Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
Is there one food you really don’t like? Shop bought mayonnaise.
Worst kitchen nightmare? I once spilt 180 degree oil from the fryer over my hand and had to go to hospital.
Most memorable meal? Waterside inn because of the amazing service and attention to detail.
Last meal on earth? Proper Mexican enchiladas.
