A KEEN cook realised his ambition when he became a chef for the day at the Stockpot at the Wellington Pub in Greenfield.
Anthony Shelmerdine-Boskovic, 36, was offered the chance to take on the role by landlady Wendy after talking incessantly about recipes and cooking with his friends at the pub.
He revealed: “Wendy said to me: ‘Why don’t you have a go when the kitchen is closed on a Monday. Cook something special for your friends.’
“After Wendy suggested it in front of my friends, particularly Adam who I cook curry for once a week, I knew I couldn’t back down – in Saddleworth there is no escape!
“I knew I had to do something special so I prepared my recipes for three days. I share my love of cooking with my Serbian grandfather and a Pakistani friend who taught me a few recipes.
“I have melded several of the countries’ recipes because they are very similar – slow cooked meats using paprika for goulashes and balti dishes with herbs and spices – so I decided to do venison Balti.”
Anthony, who likes to source locally, bought his venison shoulder and leg from Jill Stanford’s greengrocers in the village as he prepared for his big day.
He added: “My first dish consisted of a slow cooked curried venison balti. ‘Balti’ is named after the dish it is made in and comes from, believe it or not, Birmingham.
“First I fried off cumin, coriander and mustard seed with no oil, then I added ghee, red onions, ginger and birds eye chillies. I browned the meat in an Indian paste along with chicken stock, de-seeded tomatoes, and methi leaf, which I slow cooked.
“For my second dish I decided on an Aberdeen Angus kheema, with tamarind water which is sour against the spiced sweet potatoes with shavings of coconut.
“I added a spinach al dente vegetable side, supported by a cinnamon bark rice with saffron strands, mopped up with roti bread which is thicker than a chapatti, letting you pick up the food and the sauce.
“I have realised my ambition to cook as a chef in a restaurant. Cooking for 22 people I still had enough for ten and my friends loved it!”
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