Working together suits the Chamberlain siblings. The three brothers cook side by side in The Bedford Arms kitchen. Head Chef Adam has older brother David as his sous chef and younger bro Charlie as his trainee commis chef. There is little bickering and a lot of banter while the food prep’ is underway.
“We all get on fine.” says Adam. “David is the ‘free flowing’ creative one and I am more organised and structured so we make a good team.”
It’s been a case of musical chefs’ hats as the boys have clocked up experience at five star hotels and top restaurants worldwide.
“I followed my older brother Dave into Hospitality and Catering at college and as a student would help him in the Mandarin Oriental, kitchen, Knightsbridge. I worked at that Mandarin when he was in Bermuda and when he came back to England and became Bedford Arms Head Chef, I joined him and stepped up to sous chef when he moved on. I took a job at The Gatsby, Berkhamsted, but jumped at coming back to The Bedford as Head Chef! Dave came in as my sous chef and now Charlie is our commis (junior) chef – good food has always been part of his life. The Bedford has been a large part of mine, it’s a great place to be. I’ve been here 2½yrs now.”
The boys are part of an even bigger family at The Bedford. Peter Ratcliffe directs the ship, son Michael runs the hotel and manages the bar and wife Alisa makes design and marketing decisions and is currently compiling a book on the hotel’s history.
“We never use the word staff here” adds Peter, we treat everyone as family.”
It all makes for good relations!
The Bedford Arms, Chenies. 01923 283301
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