I went out to my favourite Italian last Friday for dinner at a place called Claudio’s, here in Moffat. If you are looking for amazing homemade Italian food then this is the place to visit. Claudio’s used to be the old police station in Moffat and was taken over by the Capriglione family 20 years ago. They turned the old cells into a rustic Italian restaurant that the people of Moffat have loved over the years. They have been cooking the same delicious food all of these years and have kept the same clientele. Every time I visit Claudio’s I am never disappointed, they always serve food to the same standards and are known for this throughout the region. They currently have a themed menu on every Friday night as well as the main menu. The Friday menus are based on the different regions throughout Italy and they have a 4 course menu on to suit each region.
My family has been dining at Claudio’s since I can remember and it’s a place you never get tired of visiting. When myself and my partner went last weekend we shared a starter of ham and fontina cheese croquettes served with an aioli dip. Within 2 minutes of the start being on our table it was gone, simply delicious, so much so that I actually forgot to take a photo of either courses; something I rarely do. Our mains quickly followed, both of us chose the surf and turf. A medium fillet steak cooking in garlic butter and topped with langoustines and king prawns. I very rarely come to Claudio’s now and don’t have a fillet steak as my main, it is definitely the best steak I’ve had. No dessert this time as we were too stuffed but I would usually have the milk chocolate profiteroles, thinking back now I can’t imagine why I didn’t have them!
Nothing beats homemade traditional food and at Claudio’s that is what you are getting! Chain Italian restaurants don’t come close to the genuine thing. Myself and my partner are definitely foodies; we are visiting an Italian chain restaurant this week in Glasgow as part of a Christmas present. I’m rather sceptical when visiting chain restaurants because there is no authenticity about them, whereas at Claudio’s you are getting that homemade genuine feel. I will let you know how it is though, I may be surprised!
I have attached some photos from when we went in January for my Birthday, we had the scallops to start and of course a fillet steak, with a Diane sauce instead of the garlic butter. If you are ever in Moffat and fancy some fantastic food then Claudio’s is for sure the place to stop. They only serve evening meals at the moment and are open throughout the summer for lunches. I would always advise to book though as they are always busy; a sign of a good restaurant.
Jade Porteous
Relief is steadily picking up now, we have over 30 chefs working all over Scotland and North England.
We have been meeting chefs at our office in Moffat, if you would like to come and discuss positions please call us on 01683 222830 and check our availability.
Lots more permanent placements this week also.
We are taking on new relief chefs so if you fancy seeing Scotland please email over your updated CV, reference details and hygiene certificate to jojo@chefsinscotland.co.uk
Rates of pay £12 - £17 per hour PAYE, with accommodation at no charge and travel expenses paid subject to completing the agreed stint. The more flexible you are of where you can work and level you are happy to go in as the more work we can provide you.
Chefs we have out working just now are:
Euan Clark is at the Giddy Goose in Dundee
Chris Wright is at the White Goose in Dundee
Blair Mackay is at the Heathmount Hotel in Inverness
Thomas Scott is at the Go Glasgow Urban Hotel
Chris Roberti is in Blairgowrie at The Bridge of Calley Hotel
Calum Smith is at The Cumbria Park Hotel in Carlisle
New relief chef Shaun Gibson who we met last week is at The Daffodil Hotel in the Lakes
Jamie Shand is at The Mustard Seed Restaurant in Inverness
Colin Cairns is at The Stonefield Castle in Loch Fyne
Another new relief chef Vlad Cenry is at The Scotland’s Hotel in Pitlochry
We welcome new chefs to our group and thank all existing relief chefs for their continued support and for everyone’s hard work 😊
Everyone always talks about the chef shortage, could this be the answer?
I’m not sure that robots will ever replace human chefs in the kitchen but what was ten years ago a mere dream from a sci-fi film is now becoming very real. With an increasing lack of skilled chefs’ employers seem to be finding there way around having bodies in the kitchen and trying out robots to cook their food. Although Flippy the Robot may be sufficient for a burger restaurant, I’m not sure this would be even remote fully helpful in some of the high-end places that we at Chefs In Scotland deal with. Currently the robots will have limited functionality but how long before we are placing robots in jobs? Keen to hear your thoughts on this one.
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/mar/07/food-tech-the-march-of-the-robots-reaches-the-kitchen
Approximately 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in the UK. Anxiety disorder is the most common form of mental in the UK followed quickly by depression. Mental health problems are one of the biggest killers in the UK alongside cancer and heart disease. There is a lot of stigma around mental health and the general attitude that females are most susceptible to developing a mental health issue. There is a general stigma that if you don’t look ill then you aren’t ill. Just because you cannot see someone illness, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist and they aren’t suffering. There are strong links between physical and mental health problems. Research has found that 30% of people with a long-term physical health problem also have a mental health problem and 46% of people with a mental health problem also had a long-term physical health problem.
The hospitality industry, alongside the health service, is one of the most stressful environments to work in. Long shifts and late nights often take chefs away from the normality of family life and socializing. Working in a kitchen and front of house means working unsociable hours, often late at night. It has been widely debated on whether being a chef is actually bad for your mental health or not. In a recent survey, more than half of the chefs asked said they took some form of medication or alcohol during a shift.
I have worked in busy hotels and can understand fully the level of stress some chefs go through. Often being asked to do more than they are capable of, having to work longer hours than they were being paid for. It is very easy for a chef to fall into a rut, the bar is only on the other side of the door, and all your friends are out. It slowly but surely becomes a habit for chefs, it starts as a few drinks here and there and quickly escalates into a problem. By no means am I saying this happens to all chefs but this is becoming a problem in our industry.
Balancing family life along with work can also be a contributing factor to mental health issues. In general, many parents often feel guilt when prioritizing work over their children. It can be difficult to spend time with your children, leaving before they are up for school and not getting home until after they are in bed. Days off are to be cherished and spent with loved ones, whether you have children or not. It can often be extremely hard for those single parents as well having to find the time to work and support their children whilst wanting to spend time with them.
What can we do to fight against mental health?
It has been suggested that finding a hobby, alongside seeking medical attention, is one of the most successful ways of battling mental health. Whether that hobby is the gym or a simple puzzle after a shift, something to take your mind elsewhere after a long day. A balanced diet is also a contributing factor to better health, physically and mentally. We all know what it is like working in the kitchen, a few chips here or some left overs at the end of the night. It can often be difficult to find the time to eat when you are so busy, working as a waitress I often found myself eating a full meal at 1am after a shift and not being able to sleep for a while after it. You need to be able to find the balance.
Many people suffering with mental health issues are often too embarrassed to visit their GP or talk to a relative or friend. Venting out to someone is one of the most powerful ways of getting it all out and can often make you feel relieved and take a weight off your shoulders. In this industry we need to start talking and start asking people if they are okay. Simply asking someone can make all the difference. If you or someone you know is suffering from mental health issues then encourage them or yourself to speak out!
When ‘I’ is replaced with ‘We’. Illness’ becomes ‘Wellness’.
Jade Porteous
We have 35 relief chefs out working in Scotland / North England, we have 14 relief jobs confirmed so far this week.
The availability of relief chefs is very good, we are registering new chefs on a daily basis for permanent/seasonal and relief work.
I have met 2 relief chefs this week here in Moffat and will continue to do so. Please get in touch to check our availability. We meet Tuesday – Friday at either 11am or 2pm.
We have made lots of permanent placements over the last few weeks, if you are looking for a new challenge or looking for the next step up please get in touch with your up to date CV, reference details and any certificates (including Hygiene) you may have. You can email over to recruitment@chefsinscotland.co.uk
Don’t forget if you have holidays planned it’s never too early to get in touch to secure a relief chef.
A few chefs we have booked out
Phil Smith is over at The Loch Nell Arms in Argyll
Julian Robinson is at the Onich Hotel for 5 days
Bill Brankin is at the Craig Manor Hotel in Windermere
Gian Devey and Philippe Alamichel are both at the Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar
Ionel Rizea is at The Kirkcudbright Bay Hotel in Dumfriesshire
Steve Nye is at The Lovat Arms in Beauly
George McCallum is at the Nevis Bank Inn in Fort William
Stuart MacColl is at the Lomond Hills Hotel as Head Chef
Keren Tweedie is at The Old Manor Hotel in Fife
Thanks to all of our relief chefs for your hard work and support we really do appreciate it 😊
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