Letchworth Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups in and around our town and nearby places such as Baldock.

We will showcase some of these businesses, organisations and individuals regularly in a feature called 'Up Close'.

So, with Valentine's Day looming and plenty of places in our area set to offer mouth-watering dishes, here's Baldock's brilliant chef Kish his story, as well as a recommended Valentine's Day menu.

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Up Close with Kish

The chef at home is Kishen (or Kish as he is known by many). He lives in Baldock.

"What makes Baldock home for us are the people," he says, adding: "We love the strong sense of community the area oozes and feel privileged to be part of such a supportive town."

Kish never planned on becoming a chef. Like all good stories, it happened by pure chance.

After finishing three years at university studying Business Economics, Kish decided he wanted to gain work experience abroad and Greece was his chosen destination.

He arrived with £180 in his pocket. After three weeks he found himself in need of a job in order to pay rent and the first job he could find was as a dishwasher in a beach side restaurant.

It was here where his love affair with food started.

Starting as a dishwasher, Kish quickly turned his attention to the food the restaurant was producing: fresh Mediterranean fare with a focus on seafood. Learning the basics quickly, Kish realised he found his passion.

Upon returning to the UK he struggled to find a paid job due to his lack of "real restaurant experience" so he was forced to work with no pay for six months in professional kitchens just to gain credible experience.

Over the last 12 years, Kish has worked in several highly-respected and well-reviewed restaurant kitchens within central London. Working his way up to Group Head Chef, Kish has dedicated his career to designing beautifully simple meals that blend his creativity with his love of fresh, local ingredients.

His passion for the job comes through not only working with fantastic produce but also through teaching and developing the next generation of chefs.

As Kish explains on his website at Eight situated in Baldock at No8 Whitehorse Street: "The easing of lockdown restrictions in April 2021 encouraged [us] to be innovative," and it was then that he decided to invest any money he made from Chef at Home into a converted horsebox to take Chef at Home on the road.

He traded at street food events, festivals, fayres and private events throughout the summer. It was extremely hard work but it was something he enjoyed doing.

In May 2022, Kish held a pop-up event at The Arbury for The Baldock Festival on a Wednesday night and managed to sell out.

It was here where the seed for the restaurant was planted and in November 2022 he finally got the keys to his dreams.

Kish adds: "It has been the continued support of the local community that has enabled us to fulfil dreams of opening a local, neighbourhood restaurant after years of dreaming, something that they will never take for granted.

"This support has further encouraged the ethos of focusing on local produce at the restaurant, something that is at the forefront of everything we do."

Opening Hours

Wednesday & Thursday - 5 pm to 11 pm

Friday - 12 noon to 11 pm (Lunch from 12 noon until 2.30 pm)

Saturday - 10 am to 11 pm (Brunch from 10 am until 2 pm)

Sunday Lunch - 12 noon to 4 pm

8 Whitehorse Street,

Baldock, Herts. SG7 6QN

email: [email protected]

Tel: 01462 547454

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Why not try to recreate a Valentine's Day menu for your loved one

Dressed Cromer Crab, a whole cooked crab, picked and served in its shell with a side of tarragon mayo and a baby leaf salad.

While succulent mains feature a stunning dry aged rib of beef for two cooked to your liking, and served with a peppercorn sauce, chips, grilled Portobello mushroom and a baby leaf salad.

And don't forget a sumptuous dessert which includes layered chocolate fudge cake made with real dark chocolate. Served with pouring cream.

And if you're feeling adventurous why not try a Porn Star Martini cocktail

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