Simon Hartnett, executive chef at Harley's at New Place Hotel in Shirrell Heath, talks finding his tribe and giving beef wellington a resurgence in our meet the chef column.

What first inspired you to become a chef?

"I have always been adventurous with food. My nan worked in canteens and cooked up the most amazing roast for the family. I also have a very successful chef uncle in Australia who has been a judge on MasterChef Australia."

(Image: Supplied) What was the first meal you cooked for someone else?

"I remember baking a lot as a kid with my mum, so probably a cake."

Tell us about your career so far...?

"I started as a chef at 19, having tried loads of other jobs before and hated all of them. I joined a big hotel in Portsmouth and on my first day it was like a light went on and I had finally found my tribe!

I've worked in every kind of establishment you can think of to try and gain as much experience as possible from The Grand Hotel in Brighton to The White Star when it had 2 rosettes. More recently, I was at Southampton Harbour Hotel and The Queens Hotel in Portsmouth. 

What is the proudest moment of your career to date?

"Cooking for celebrities or my chef uncle. Watching chefs from teams I've assembled go on to achieve big things."

What is your signature dish?

"I've tried to give the beef wellington a bit of a resurgence. When taken out to be carved table side it always feel special, guests love the theatre and it feels like a nod back to the old school way of doing things."

(Image: Supplied) What is your favourite dish currently on the menu?

"Our pig cheek starter. Sticky soft pig cheeks with the sharp apple ketchup and the fresh apple and hazelnuts for a bit of crunch. It's simple but so good!

Where is your favourite place to eat in Hampshire?

Natty's Jerk in Portsmouth is a favourite spot of mine. The food is always incredible and the service and drink selection great, especially their Guinness cocktail."

What is your guilty pleasure?

"I love a McDonald’s every now and then, you can get a much better burger elsewhere but it's cheap, quick and consistent."

What is your favourite Hampshire ingredient?

"Tunworth cheese is top drawer. If you haven’t tried it you are missing out."

(Image: Submitted)