New Trainee Chef De Partie

It’s a big welcome from the Angel team to James Mcbride, who has joined us all the way from Donegal, in Ireland, as trainee Chef de Partie.  Working under Head Chef Elly Wentworth’s expert guidance, James is already loving being a part of the team.

James has had a passion for cooking and food since he was a wee lad.  His father Michael owns family orientated business, the Travellers Inn in Donegal, and James has helped out for as long as he can remember.  The Head Chef in the family restaurant inspired and encouraged James love for cooking, and after 4 years of studying at the LYIT School of Tourism in Killybegs, James had his first placement at Rathmullen House in Donegal and this was his first experience in a professional kitchen as an employee.  It confirmed to James that this was definitely what he wanted from a career – to be a chef.  There then followed spells gaining experience at the Clanree Hotel and then Ashford Castle (an exceptional 5* Hotel & Country Estate) and even a 2-day stint at Tom Kerridge’s pub in Marlow, The Hand & Flowers! He worked incredibly hard at college and passed his BA Hons Culinary Arts with Merit.  In fact, he was one of only 4 students that remained from 25 – the course was quite a challenge!

Sadly, for us all, the Corona virus then struck and lockdown life started.  This has had a huge impact on the hospitality business across the world.  Back in Ireland, James wasn’t sure what to do, so he set up his own cupcake business.  After being approached to trade by a local farmers market, his cakes were literally flying out of the oven, sometimes selling 80 boxes a week!  During lockdown James also helped his dad open a new coffee business, with James making all the pastries, both of which kept him very busy indeed.

James’s most favourite thing, apart from cheffing, is watching cookery programmes.  He particularly enjoyed the cooking show, Masterchef, and has followed Elly for years across her TV appearances and social networks.  When a position came up to be trained by someone you admire so much and at the right time, it seemed like fate that James would soon be on his way to England!  Elly is delighted to have James on board, and is looking forward to helping seeing his ambitions come to fruition in The Angel.

At just 23, James hopes to be a head chef as soon as he can, and is putting Elly’s tuition, knowledge and skills to good use. For young Mr Mcbride the best part of being in Dartmouth is working with such a fun, friendly but dedicated team: “I just love walking too and the views are amazing.”  He is missing his friends and family a little bit and as well as the ‘Irishness’ of the food back home, particularly something called Bacon & Cabbage – an Irish speciality apparently!!

If you see him, around town or whilst dining with us, give him a lovely Devon hello!