When it comes to learning your craft chef Rich Netherlands had done his time. After training at Treysgawen Hall Hotel on Anglesey he has worked in well-known establishments like The Midland in Beaumaris and The Slate, Tal-y-Bont, as well as in UK cities and Australia.
These two decades of experience will culminate next week when he opens his own restaurant in Wales. NorthWalesLive reported that he has even been praised by actor Stanley Tucci who told him his tapas at The Midland was some of the best he’d ever eaten. Now, aged 36, he has decided to open his own restaurant in Menai Bridge.
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Theodore's – named after his four-year-old son – will open on May 12 be based in the former Hydeout smokehouse site after they closed at the start of this month. Rich said: "I have worked in the industry for a long time and decided it was now time to open my own place. I have a large following from working for other people and the bookings are already coming in for the new restaurant with the first couple of nights already fully booked.
"Hideout closed on May 1 with the bar ripped out and we've been straight in with new tiling, new floor, a new kitchen. We have hired the best and they are working around the clock so we can open next Friday. I've not had my apron on for six weeks now and I'm desperate to get back in the kitchen and have a frying pan rather than a laptop in my hand."
He is not sticking to a specific genre of food for the new place. Rich, who lives in Llangristiolus, on Anglesey, said: "I'm known at The Slate for my specials board – it's about three metres long. I like to change things, using as much local produce as possible and using ingredients that are in season.
"There will be plenty of seafood and tapas dishes. There will definitely be a seafood platter. I'm also known for my Sunday dinners and they will continue at Theodore's. I'm just looking forward to getting started now and into the kitchen. This is not a job for me – it is a passion."
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