Gary is the Restaurant Manager of the new York Little Chef.

Tell us a little bit about yourself – where do you live, family, friends etc. what do you do out of work hours?
I live in Ulleskelf, a village near Tadcaster, brewing capital of the north! I like doing Pub quizzes, although it’s a good job that I’m not too bothered about winning them all the time! I love to ski, mainly in the French Alps, although having a snow dome at Castleford nearby is a real advantage.

How long have you worked for Little Chef?
11 and a half years. That’s 59 years in Dog years!

How does working in the new Little Chef compare with working in the old Little Chef?
It’s so much faster paced, there’s always something to do and even when the restaurant is quiet we’re busy which is how we like it.

Tell us a bit about your team
We have a fairly young and energetic bunch here at York. It’s a friendly team and they look after each other and pull together when things get busy. They also take real pride in their work.

How are the rest of the team finding the new restaurant?
We have many new team members here at York, because we have expanded the team so much; the ones that have been here a long time prefer it now as there is a real buzz. The team are also very proud of the restaurant itself because we get so many compliments about the look and feel of the place. Even cleaning the toilets is more enjoyable listening to the tunes!

Tell us a bit about your customers. Any celebrities?
Our customers come from all walks of life, and some come from quite a distance away, we’ve had customers from Limerick in Ireland; they made a special detour to try the new Little Chef. Also, a couple spent their first wedding anniversary with us. They had tried to get into the Fat Duck but couldn’t so came to us and loved it. They also came back with friends the next day because we told them that Heston was coming back to film and they got the chance to chat to him during filming breaks.

Tell us a bit about your opening night, when was it and  how did it go?
I really enjoyed it, my Regional Manager was definitely more nervous than me! I had complete faith in my team and they didn’t let me down. The cooks did a sterling job of keeping the food flowing out and the waiters kept the drinks flowing too.

How did you feel about being on TV?
I would have liked to get in shape a bit more! It was weird doing interviews to camera though, we did quite a few. I was so proud of my staff.

What did you think to Big Chef takes on Little Chef and the follow up Did Heston change Little Chef?
The first programme was a real eye opener, sometimes a fresh set of eyes is what’s needed, but maybe 10 million are too many! The outcome was positive and we got there in the end.

What did you think of Heston?
He is a really nice guy, you can tell that all the talk about food quality is not just for the cameras, the man knows his stuff and if it isn’t perfect, he won’t have it! He spent time chatting to me and my staff even when the cameras had gone away and he didn’t mind at all about having photos taken with the team.

Tell us a bit about the food?
It’s delicious! Imagine your favourite local pub food; great quality Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips etc, then add a few quirks and touches that make it even more special and you’ve got it. There is nothing to be afraid of; no Bacon & Egg ice cream, not a snail in sight, just really good food at perfectly reasonable prices.

What is your favourite dish of the new menu?
The Chilli, it’s my favourite dish anyway and it takes some beating. My absolute favourite on the whole menu is the Sticky Toffee Pudding; I defy anyone to find a better one than ours! I recommend it with Soft Serve Ice cream; it just melts together and gives the perfect taste combination.

What do you think to the new Olympic Breakfast?
Although there are no sauté potatoes, you can at least move after this one! The quality is great and the black pudding is delicious, even if you’re not a black pudding fan.

Is there anything you don’t like about the new restaurant?
No!

What is your best memory of Little Chef?
It’s got to be watching my staff really disappoint the film crew who really expected them to mess up all the time. The pride I felt was amazing.

What would you like to see for the future of Little Chef?
Around 250 sites, all done to the Heston standard, full all day and getting Little Chef back to where it was.

Tell us a little bit about yourself – where do you live, family, friends etc. what do you do out of work hours?
I live in Winchester. I moved here nearly ten years ago. I originally came for a two week break to visit my sister but I never went back. I visit my family as often as I possibly can.

How long have you worked for Little Chef?
I have worked for the company for nine and a half years now. I started at Sutton Scotney Little Chef and then went to manage Barton Stacey Little Chef. I then came to Popham at the time when they started filming.

How does working in the new Little Chef compare with working in the old Little Chef?
There is much more of a buzz now.

Tell us a bit about your team
The team are very positive and will do anything to help. We really gel as a team.

How are the rest of the team finding the new restaurant?
Everyone is really enjoying it.

Tell us a bit about your cus­tom­ers. Any celebrit­ies?
We now have customers that go out of their way to visit us, not just passers by. Celebrities that have called in include: Jenny Bond, David Tennant, and Tim Wanacot (more than once). Billie Piper, Ben Fogal, Norman Cook – aka Fat Boy Slim, Eric Clapton, Susie Quatro, Jeremy Paxman. They are just the ones I remember.

Tell us a bit about your opening night, when was it, how did it go etc?
It is the best experience I’ve ever had with Little Chef. We were all on a high all night and for weeks after that too.

How did you feel about being on TV?
It was daunting seeing myself on TV. We got used to the cameras being there after the first couple of months though. Going to Heston’s restaurant, the Fat Duck in Bray was one to remember and was a great experience. Customers have since asked for autographs and I think WHAT? I’m just doing my job!

What did you think to Big Chef takes on Little Chef and the follow up Did Heston change Little Chef?
It was a once in a life time opportunity. I thought a few people were portrayed a little unfairly though.

What did you think of Heston?
Heston made us feel at ease, just like he was another member of the team. He interacted great with everyone.

Tell us a bit about the food?
The quality of the food is great and of course, we’re really proud to serve it.

What is your favourite dish of the new menu?
Definitely the Fish and Chips.

What do you think to the new Olympic Breakfast?
Some of the customers miss the sauté potatoes and think it’s not as big, but I wouldn’t be able to eat two!

What is your best memory of Little Chef?
Without a doubt it is that POPHAM LITTLE CHEF got into the GOOD FOOD GUIDE 2010!

What would you like to see for the future of Little Chef?
I would like to see all of the Little Chef restaurants to mirror Popham including the pride and passion the team have for the brand.

Mandy Weatherley is the Restaurant Manager at Kettering West Little Chef

Tell us a little bit about yourself
I live locally to the Kettering West restaurant and I’m a mum of three.

How long have you worked for Little Chef?
I’ve just completed twenty years service with Little Chef and I’ve been at Kettering West for the last six years.

How does working in the new Little Chef compare with working in the old Little Chef?
It’s much more of an up-beat atmosphere. The restaurant is light, bright and fun.

Tell us a bit about your team
My team has doubled since we’ve re-launched the new Little Chef. I have retained my existing staff and have some new bright and bubbly people who have joined the team. Everybody is really enthusiastic.

How are the rest of the team finding the new restaurant?
They are all really proud to be part of the new Little Chef.

Tell us a bit about your customers
We have had some really positive feedback from both new and old guests; they are loving the menu and the modern decor. Monty Panesar, the international cricket star who lives locally recently popped in to try the spit roast chicken.

Tell us a bit about your opening night, when was it, how did it go?
The official opening night was 3^rd August this year. It went really well. The restaurant was full to capacity all evening and the champagne was flowing too!

What did you think to Big Chef takes on Little Chef and the follow up ‘Did Heston change Little Chef?’
I thought it made great viewing!

What did you think of Heston?
Heston was really friendly and he was just a regular guy. He was happy to pose for photos with the staff and sign autographs.

Tell us a bit about the food?
The food is great. A particular favourite seems to be the Braised Ox Cheeks.

What is your favourite dish of the new menu?
I love the freshly cooked waffles, drizzled with maple syrup and vanilla bean ice-cream.

What do you think to the new Olympic Breakfast?
The new Olympic is fantastic with the thyme infused mushrooms and tomatoes.

Is there anything you don’t like about the new restaurant?
No nothing at all, it’s all fantastic.

What is your best memory of Little Chef?
My first visit to a Little Chef back in the seventies. I had a Jubilee Pancake and I thought; when I grow up I’m going to work in a Little Chef so that I can eat as many Jubilee Pancakes as I like!

What would you like to see for the future of Little Chef?
The concept to be rolled out across every Little Chef!