Northamptonshire's Chef of the Year cooks up more than 11,000 meals for NHS staff from Earl Spencer's kitchens

Northamptonshire’s Chef of the Year is back delivering lockdown takeaways, fresh from a spell cooking more than 11,000 meals for NHS staff fighting on the frontline of COVID-19.

Danny Tompkins, who won the accolade at last year’s Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards, teamed up with Food4Heroes to provide meals for healthcare professionals battling the virus at Northampton General Hospital.

Currently working as Earl and Countess Spencer’s personal chef, Danny was given permission to use the Althorp kitchens to prepare thousands of meals, which helped keep the heroes of the NHS fed throughout the peak of the pandemic.

He is now getting back in the kitchen with a new menu of takeaway treats for residents around Northamptonshire to enjoy, lifting their spirits in lockdown.

Danny said: “Cooking for the people working day in, day out to fight COVID-19 was an incredible experience. It started out at a couple of hundred meals a day and ended up being more than 11,000 meals in six weeks.

“It was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever undertaken but definitely the most rewarding. I hope it was able to make a difference.

“I’m now looking forward to getting back to the takeaways which we trialled at the start of lockdown. I’ve invested in a new wood-fired oven so I’m looking at a range of sourdough pizzas and feelgood comfort food, which is something all of us need right now.”

Danny’s first menu includes dishes such as chorizo and pork belly sausage roll, wood-fired-lamb shoulder with beetroot flat bread, serrano ham and black garlic pizza and barbequed pineapple with mango puree and lime cream.

Starters are priced at £6.50, mains at £12.50 and desserts £6.50. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available. Wine and beer can also be ordered to accompany your meal – with deliveries available within a five-mile radius of Harlestone (minimum order £20).

Danny is at the forefront of a new ‘private dining’ movement in the county, hosting exclusive supper clubs and creating dinner parties for lovers of fine food.

Danny’s interest in cooking began at a young age when he watched his father Brian reach the finals on MasterChef 1993. Watching Brian’s passion for cooking inspired him to spend time in the kitchen himself, learning culinary techniques and sampling new flavours.

Starting as a pot wash in his local village pub whilst still at school, he went on to work in high-end restaurants including Fawsley Hall and has cooked for the likes of rap superstar Jay Z.

For more information and for a copy of the menu, search @DannyTompkinsChef on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.dannytompkinschef.com. Danny can be contacted by calling 07745 092672 or via email at [email protected].