1. NAME David Leybourne
2. JOB TITLE Group executive chef, Birchall Foodservice Customer
3. PLACE OF WORK Hoopers Department Store, Harrogate
4. TYPICAL WORKING HOURS 40ish
5. HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN THE CATERING INDUSTRY? 30 years
6. MOST INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOU I’m a festival angel. Festival Angels volunteer at festivals offering support to anyone who is a bit worse for wear, lost from their friends, getting them first aid or any other help they might need, supporting when feeling sad and lonely or just wanting to chat
7. FAVOURITE CUISINE British - it has a rich indigenous culinary tradition and its colonial history has profoundly enriched its native cooking traditions
8. SIGNATURE DISH Ox cheeks braised slowly for six hours in red wine served with caramelised beets and roots
9. MUST-HAVE KITCHEN GADGET Good knives and an angled spatula
10. TOP CULINARY TIP Keep it simple - no need for anything fancy and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavours. Keep learning and never give up
11. WHO IS YOUR INSPIRATION AND WHY? My dad, he was a chef in the army and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. Then a chef lecturer, Mr D, who came out of early retirement to work with me as my sous chef
12. FAVOURITE COUNTRY RANGE INGREDIENT AND WHY? I do like the quality of the Country Range Chocolate Drops. They’re great for any baking and finishing off canapés