Interview with Kevin Bonello, Head Chef at The Grand in York

Introduction to Kevin Bonello

Kevin Bonello, the head chef at the listed hotel The Grand in York, shares his insights on the culinary industry, favorite dining spots, and cooking tips.

Vision for the Industry

If given the chance to be Prime Minister for a day, Kevin would focus on improving working conditions in the hospitality industry to make them fairer and more sustainable. He believes this would help attract and retain talent, supporting the industry’s continued growth as people increasingly move away from it. Additionally, he would encourage the media to showcase the beautiful, artistic side of cooking to inspire more people to pursue a career in this field.

Favorite Dining Spots

Kevin’s go-to place for affordable food in York is Robinson’s, located on Bishy Road. This picturesque street, just a few minutes from the city center, offers a fantastic atmosphere with a greengrocer, butcher shop, cookware shop, and restaurants. Robinson’s stands out for its exceptional food and relaxed service, courtesy of a team with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants. His favorite dish there is Turkish eggs, made with scrambled eggs instead of poached, accompanied by fresh orange juice and an Americano.

Budget-Friendly Recipes

Kevin shares his favorite budget recipe for San Marzano tomato sauce, which makes 2kg and can be frozen for use in pasta sauce or as a pizza base. The ingredients include:

• 0.15 kg of virgin olive oil
• 2 liters of canned San Marzano tomatoes
• 0.15 kg powdered sugar
• 15 fresh basil leaves
• Salt to taste

The process involves sautéing garlic in olive oil until lightly browned, adding the remaining ingredients, bringing to a boil, and then simmering for 40 minutes. After blending into a smooth sauce, adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Cooking Tips

Kevin advises against bothering to make dried pasta from scratch, as high-quality dried pasta can provide a quick, easy, and satisfying meal. However, he notes that fresh pasta is easy to make at home and tastes great.

Dining Etiquette

Kevin believes that cell phones should only be used for taking photos in restaurants, not for conversations or scrolling through social media. He thinks eating is about enjoying food with others and appreciating the time together, which is enhanced when phones are out of sight.

Recommendations

For the best pizza in the UK, Kevin recommends Cresci Pizzeria in York, praising its authentic Italian flavors, delicious dough, and perfectly cooked pizzas. His favorite supermarket own-brand item is Tesco’s finest truffle butter, which he uses to add a special touch to dinners, such as finishing a risotto or tossing roasted winter vegetables.

Hidden Gems

Kevin suggests forgetting London and heading to Cumbria for an excellent selection of amazing restaurants serving top-quality food. His personal favorites include The Anvil and Source at Gilpin, highlighting Cumbria as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.