Russell Bateman, Head Chef at Colette's at the Grove

Chef Career Advice

Based on his extensive experience working within the Culinary Industry, Head Chef, Russell Bateman offers his advice to aspiring Chefs in an attempt to help them on their journey up the career ladder:

Hi, I'm Russell Bateman, Colette's Head Chef at the Grove.

It's very different to when I came into the industry, the industry has matured a lot and become a lot fairer than when I started so I think now the hours aren't quite as long, the treatments not quite as harsh, certainly not in the top end restaurants, and I think they can expect a pleasurable experience with learning as the key really.

Basically, when you come into the industry you should be completely open minded and absorb as much as you can because there's a lot to learn out there.

First bit of advice is it will be hard work depending on obviously where your going what part of the industry you're going into and you have to be prepared for long hours and hard work and a Chef at the place I was working at in Harrods gave me some good advice he said don't be a one trick pony If you want to go into Michelin restaurants then great but don't let Michelin be all you can be, experience as much as you can whether it be bistros, hotels, banqueting, large scale dining, abroad, boats whatever it can be, get as much experience as you can. When someone comes to me at Colette's I'm looking for passion, commitment, integrity.

I'm looking for someone that's a good character, honest, someone that can work with the team so there's a huge amount of diversity at the Grove. If you come into the Grove as a young Chef you can pretty much fulfill all of the criteria I spoke about earlier in one place so it's a good place to start.

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