In the Kitchen with… Tom Stewart

How long have you been working at Home Farm Café?
I have been Head Chef at Home Farm Café for over nine years now – that’s a long time for a chef, so I must like it!

Describe your style of cooking?
We like to cook good, wholesome food. Dishes that will warm you up and nourish you after a big walk on Dartmoor. Our style is probably classic British, but I do take inspiration from other cuisines too. The most important thing is using as many ingredients from as close by as possible.

How do you choose what goes on your menus?
The menus reflect the seasons, and we are always in contact with our suppliers to find out what’s growing locally and what we should be showcasing. There are some absolute staples that we never take off the menu – like our slow-cooked Dartmoor beef pasties.

How often do the menus change?
Because we like to use what’s available and in season, our evening menu changes every week. Our lunch dishes reflect the time of year too – hearty soups and stews in the winter and interesting salads and tarts in the summer. Alongside our baguettes, jacket potatoes and pasties, we serve daily specials, which really gives us the chance to get creative.

What’s your favourite ingredient, and why?
It’s hard to choose just one. I think one of my favourites has to be wild garlic. It’s such a versatile ingredient that can be used with almost anything: thrown fresh through a salad, made into a pesto or salsa, or used to stuff meat – all delicious!

Where do you like to eat out?
Having two young children, the opportunities to dine out seem to be few and far between! I’m much more likely to be found picking up a Thai takeout, or driving to get fish and chips in Teignmouth.

Can you share a cooking tip with us?
A generous splash of milk in your bolognese sauce turns it from good to great.

Any plans for Home Farm’s menus?
We plan to keep on doing what we’re doing – looking after hungry walkers with wholesome lunches by day, and getting creative and really showing off to our dinner guests by night.

Where can we find you when you’re not in the kitchen?
Somewhere in the countryside with my wife Daisy, our two children, and two dogs.