Each week, we invite top chefs to participate in our Cheap Eats feature. Today we talk to Chris Cleghorn from the Michelin-starred The Olive Tree in Bath. He picks his favorite meals at affordable prices across Somerset and Wiltshire.
Hi Chris, What is the cheapest food to make at home overnight?
It depends on the season, but I don’t think you can go wrong with a delicious salad.
My favorite easy recipe is cornflake-wrapped chicken with goat cheese, pears, hazelnuts, roasted broccoli, gem lettuce, and mustard-honey dressing.
method
1. Cut the chicken breast into thin strips about 2cm thick.
2. Lightly sprinkle with flour and shake off excess flour.
3. Soak in egg wash and add directly to crushed cornflakes.
4. Place on greaseproof paper on a flat tray and cook in a preheated oven at 220°C until cooked through.
Honey and mustard dressing can be made in bulk and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Here’s how to make it…
1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp whole grain mustard 1 tbsp honey 200ml olive oil Pinch of sea salt
What are your favorite places to eat for two for under £40 around Bath?
Shoe Box Patisserie in Bath – We love going to Entry Hill Cafe on Sunday mornings for coffee and choux pastries. It’s hard to choose my favorite, but if I had to choose one it would be the classic lemon meringue pie.
However, don’t miss out on the weekly special choux buns. This is generally attracting attention.
At Entry Hill, you can also enjoy flavorful choux bread. My personal favorite is potato, bacon, and maple.
Alternatively, I might go to Alexandra Park on a Sunday morning to enjoy their products. There are great views over Bath from here.
Hartley Farm Shop, Bradford-on-Avon – Just a 15-minute drive from Bath, you’ll find Hartley Farm Shop in Bradford-on-Avon.
With two young boys, this place is a big hit and has everything in one place.
We have lovingly created the “Barn” where you can enjoy your meal.
For breakfast, my favorites are French toast, brioche, apple compote, bacon, and maple syrup. I recommend adding a fried egg and jalapeno for an extra £2.
For lunch, we use our own beef to create hard-to-beat burgers including a Hartley beef patty, tomato, lettuce, burger sauce, brioche bun, fries, and house slaw.
There is also a farm shop selling local produce, a children’s play area and an old family tractor.
Landrace Bakery, Bath – Landrace Bakery represents what artisan produce is all about to me.
Our breads and freshly baked patisseries are made with the finest ingredients and are distinguished by our outstanding craftsmanship. Worth a quick stop for takeout pastries. My personal favorite is the cinnamon bun. But go early to make sure they still have it in stock. It’s very good.
You can also enjoy a light brunch with a variety of small plates to stay within your budget. Plus, adding a platter would be great for dinner, but this would add up to over 40 pounds.
But it’s certainly worth the splurge as you get to watch a small team of chefs prepare your food. The cheddar curd fritters are worth a stop.
How did you become a chef?
I’ve always wanted to be a chef since I was little. I love food and have always been interested in learning more about food by watching cooking shows.
I was never great in school, but I loved art and cooking. After some work experience in the kitchen, it became clear to me that this was what I wanted to do.
I did day release in college while working up to a local 2 Rosette restaurant.
When I was 18 years old, I did an internship at a three-star Michelin restaurant. This was an eye-opening experience and I loved every minute of it.
I had never seen such attention to detail, thought process in cooking, and quality of product. At the time, I didn’t have the confidence to work there, but that’s how I started my journey.
I continued to study under some great chefs for the next 10 years, learning about myself and the business before becoming a head chef myself.
We spoke to many top chefs – check out their inexpensive meals from around the country here…
