The Hidden Chef Production & Development Kitchen

Aim

Our aim, is to build a development/production kitchen for trainee chefs/waiting staff - with a deli, wine/tapas/cocktail bar on the side.

Following my redundancy in May 2021, during Corona virus & lockdowns, rather unbelievably - the village I live in, raised me enough money to start The Hidden Chef Brasserie (www.thehiddenchef.net). 
Since completing the Brasserie (which I took on as a derelict shell), we have gone from strength to strength. I have not only achieved 2 AA Rosettes, but also, have won Trip Advisors Travelers Choice Award for Excellence 2022 (following repeated 5* reviews) and the Travel & Hospitality awards Farm to Table Restaurant of the Year in England 2022 – all within just 18 months of opening!

However in this 18 months we have faced, like many others - ever increasing energy/food & drink/petrol/wage price rises.  These increases have consumed all monies previously made, in turn - taking away any possibility of progressing the business further/expanding. My vision was always to have 5 individual restaurants, all serving great tasting, fresh food alongside great service, across the southwest ….. Just like we offer (and successfully execute) here at The Hidden Chef. BUT, thanks to the current economic climate, and rising costs eating up all of my profit/savings - I now need help in order to be able to move the business forward.

I have found a 2nd premises which is almost opposite our current one, but I really need financial assistance to help my dreams be realised. We are desperately trying to help bring our home town, the County town of Wiltshire, back to life.

The vision for this 2nd premises?  

Primarily, a delicatessen/bakery with an adjoining tapas and cocktail bar (none of these 4 elements are currently available to locals – or visitors - in the town).

But also, a development kitchen which would employ up to 3 trainees at any one time, for two years at a time. I and my brilliant Front of House Manager (Ty) will train not only chefs, but front of house staff – to give them the opportunity to learn/develop their skills. The chefs will not only learn classic cooking skills through me/the development kitchen, they will have the chance to experience “service” whilst preparing/working for/in the Restaurant/Tapas side of the business.

What will your money do?

The money raised will go towards the full refit of the 2nd building.  Just like my current building when I took it on, this space needs everything doing/completely re-designing …. from new electrics to ovens, fridges, tables, chairs, redecorate, alarms etc etc etc. The design, as before – will be done by me.
In the longer term, your money will help train staff and help us to service the town with a deli/bakery/patisserie/fish & small butchery counter and also a tapas and wine bar. None of which (apart from a butchers) are present in the town currently - but all of which ALWAYS sell out when we run our monthly market.

PLEASE NOTE:- As well as being able to simply donate, and/or buy “rewards”, we also have shares for sale. (Please PM us for further details on these, as we are now allowed to sell these via crowdfunder). Also worth noting, that if we don’t raise the full amount - your donation, in whatever form, will automatically be returned to you.

I absolutely LOVE what I do.  I have been in hospitality since the age of 16 (I am now 46!), and have as much drive/passion to succeed now, as I did back then.  I so want this opportunity to move the business forward, and to help/train others – but just cannot make it happen, through no fault of my own – without a bit of a leg up from people like yourselves.

NOTE:- I have just THREE WEEKS to try and raise the required funds. I have found the perfect site, and the landlord has agreed to hold it for me for the above length of time, but no longer. I have everything crossed that you will all support me in this new venture. 

Thank you so much for reading this.

Dean

This project closed unsuccessfully on 16th March 2023