Chef Chris is returning to his Roots
AN award-winning chef who has worked in some of the country’s most prestigious restaurants is returning home to pass on his knowledge and skills to the next generation of budding young cooks.
Chris Dobson attended Accrington and Rossendale College in the 1980s and has worked at the famous Turnberry golfing hotel in Scotland and for threetime Michelin Star chef Nico Ladenis at his restaurant Simply Nico.
He was also head chef at the former popular Accrington venue Callum’s Bisto and later worked at the award winning Storrs Hall on Lake Windermere before a bad climbing accident on the Yorkshire Moors meant he was unable to work for five years.
Now Accringtonborn Chris has come full circle after taking up a position for the next academic year at Accrington and Rossendale College.
The 48-year-old will be operating in a half commercial chef and half junior lecturer capacity and said he can’t wait to get started.
He said: “It’s the same college but a different site to the one I attended. I was based at the old place down on Blackburn Road in the 1980s. I’m really looking forward to getting started at the college. There are ultramodern, purpose built facilities which are, frankly, better than in any kitchen I have ever worked in.
“I’m looking forward to the new intake of students and I’ve been working on my lesson planning, I’m confident, it’s exciting.
“Fate deals many cards and now I have the opportunity to give back to the community and share the knowledge I have gained over the years.”
Father-of-two Chris, who lives off Manchester Road with his wife Deborah, will now be completing a two-year certificate in education to enable him to lecture ing catering. He will also be co-running the kitchen at the Roots restaurant, based at the college, where he will mentor students.
Charlotte Scheff- mann, assistant principal at Accrington and Rossendale College, said: “I am delighted that Chris will be joining us at Accrington Rossendale College. It is very rare that you have someone of his experience and talent able to come in and mentor young people who are just starting out in the catering industry.
“I sure he’s eager to get started and I’m sure he will be a great success.”
For more information about college courses call 01254 389933.