NEWENT’S George Hotel now boasts a new chef, Shane Thomas, professionally-known as ‘Shaun the Chef’.

Shaun, originally from Warminster, has spent most of his life in catering. From school he started out in High Wycombe as a part-time ‘washer upper’ and waiter in the George and Dragon working for Phil and Caroline Todd. At the same time he attended Slough University gaining his qualifications in due course to work full-time as a cook.

When the George and Dragon was sold, he moved to Egypt for a few years eventually returning to the Yew Tree in Cliffords Mesne, amazingly working again for the Todds.

Eventually when the Todds again sold up Shaun felt a move would enhance his cooking so he came to the George Hotel in Newent.

Shaun said: “In my 30 years of cooking experience I like to create new and different dishes for my customers and to do this in a warm, relaxing family atmosphere such as the George Hotel. I always had this in the pubs I worked in before.

“With the influence and mentoring of Phillip Todd and freelance chef Penny Hutchins I’ve learnt the best food is homemade. I cook everything from scratch so I know exactly what is in each meal. I pride myself on providing quality not quantity and love to introduce my customers to a variation of foods and take them away from the usual pub experience.”

Shaun also bakes his own bread, fresh everyday when the restaurant is open, which has been complimented on Trip Advisor. His signature dishes are curries and puddings, all, of course, homemade.