Index
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Added April 18th 2019
Ben Andrews
Added April 18th 2019
Ben Andrews
From management and chefs to our waiters and bar staff, we’re like one big family at Bistro 8 — and it’s time to #MeetTheTeam
Next we have Ben Andrews…
1. Tell us a bit about you
My name is Ben Andrews, I’m 17 and I work in the kitchen at Bistro 8.
2. What do you love most about working at Bistro 8?
My favourite part about working here is that I get to work underneath a great head Chef and I’m always learning and improving in the kitchen.
3. How long have you been working at Bistro 8?
I’ve been working at the bistro for nearly eight months now.
4. How did you get involved in the food/drink industry?
I started working at Bistro 8 when I was 16 as a kitchen porter over the summer. The summer months were super busy so I gave a hand every now and then and have now progressed to working more in the kitchen and preparing some of the meals with chef.
5. Pick your favourite dish and drink combo from the Bistro 8 menu and tell us why it’s your go-to choice…
My favourite dish is one from the new menu for the summer — lamb two way! I was lucky enough to try some when chef was experimenting and it tastes amazing!
6. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
I’m really into music so I’m looking forward to the summer and hanging out with my friends and going to a few festivals! -
Added April 11th 2019
Roman
Added April 11th 2019
Roman
From management and chefs to our waiters and bar staff, we’re like one big family at Bistro 8 — and it’s time to #MeetTheTeam1. Who are you and what is your role at Bistro 8?
Hello, my name is Roman Janda and I am the restaurant supervisor at Bistro 8.
2. What do you love most about working at Bistro 8?
The restaurant at Bistro 8 has such a great view of the River Hamble — especially in the summer. I also work with such a friendly team which makes work really fun!
3. How long have you been working at Bistro 8?
I’ve worked at the Bistro for a year and six months.
4. How did you get involved in the food/drink industry?
I’ve always had a really big interest in food, especially when I was growing up, so my parents encouraged me to get involved in it and I’ve turned it into a career! ????
5. Pick your favourite dish and drink combo from the Bistro 8 menu and tell us why it’s your go-to choice…
I will always choose either one of our pies or pizzas and will have this with Romsey Gold — my favourite beer at Bistro 8!
6. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
Hobbies? Work????… of course. I do a lot of cycling and enter lots of different races throughout the year and around the country. I do a lot of events like Ironman which definitely keeps me busy ????????
7. Who is your dream dinner party guest and why?
It would have to be Chris Froome, because he is one of the most inspirational people in cycling these days!
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Added March 28th 2019
Jon Pope
Added March 28th 2019
Jon Pope
From management and chefs to our waiters and bar staff, we’re like one big family at Bistro 8 – and it’s time to #MeetTheTeam
Next we have Jonathan Pope…
1. Tell us a bit about you
My name is Jon and I am head chef and dream maker at Bistro 8.
2. What do you love most about working at Bistro 8?
Working at Bistro 8 is great because I get to experiment with lots of new flavours and dishes in order to write seasonal menus for the restaurant. Plus, we have an amazing team who are a lot of fun to work with.
3. How long have you been working at Bistro 8?
I have been working at the Bistro for 3 years now.
4. How did you get involved in the food/drink industry?
I started my career at a catering college aged 16 and have never looked back to be honest. It’s great to be working in such an evolving industry and being able to experiment day-to-day with new dishes and ideas.
5. What’s your favourite dish and drink combo from the menu?
I’ve been working on a couple of new meals for our new spring/summer menu so I would have to pick the dish Lamb two ways from the new menu accompanied by a nice glass of Merlot.
6. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
I’ve started to have a go at paddle boarding for the first time which was a really great experience, to be out on the water in the peace and quiet. We’re quite lucky to be based where we are on the Marina as there’s a lot of activities like this to get involved with. Shout out and thank you to Sean at WeSup for getting me involved!
7. And finally, who is your dream dinner guest and why?
This would have to be Marco as he is one of my culinary heroes.
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Added March 18th 2019
Zoe
Added March 18th 2019
Zoe
From management and chefs to our waiters and bar staff, we’re like one big family at Bistro 8 – and it’s time to #MeetTheTeam
Next we have Zoe Hadley…
1. Tell us a bit about you
My name is Zoe and I am one of the supervisors here at Bistro 8.
2. What is it you love most about working at Bistro 8?
Bistro 8 is such a great place to work. I love interacting and engaging with all the customers that come through the door, both new and existing. It’s especially nice to have been able to build up some great relationships with some of our regular customers.
3. How long have you been working at Bistro 8?
I started my career here 6 years ago when Bistro 8 was Café 8, so this is a bit like my second home!
4. What’s your favourite dish and drink combo from the menu?
My go—to dish I think will always be the Ploughman’s sharing platter! It’s so nice in the summer to sit out in the Bistro 8 garden in the sun sharing the platter with friends perhaps with a glass of Prosecco or our New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
5. Tell us a little bit about what you get up to outside of work?
In my spare time I’m really into crafting and make handmade cards and gifts to sell. There are a few on show at the bar in the Bistro and I have a facebook page where people can have a look at what I’ve done before and place an order for events like birthdays, weddings and Christmas! (Zoe Hadley’s Crafts)
6. Finally, who would be your dream dinner party guest and why?
It’s got to be Justin Timberlake because I love him!
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Added February 25th 2019
Mark
Added February 25th 2019
Mark
From management and chefs to our waiters and bar staff, we’re like one big family at Bistro 8 – and it’s time to #MeetTheTeam
First up is owner Mark Walter…
1. First of all, who are you and what do you do?
My name is Mark Walter and I am the owner and manager of Bistro 8 which I’ve owned for nearly 3 years now.
2. What do you love most about Bistro 8?
I think the best thing about Bistro 8 is the location. I love the location, and the people, and being in a working boatyard means there’s always something going on. It’s a very busy place with lots of activity so we get quite a range of people come in which is great.
3. What has been your biggest challenge?
I think the biggest challenge for me was about making sure I got the set up right, in particular the right balance on the menu to make sure the flavour of the food and drink was balanced properly for the seasons. After that, managing the very busy garden in the summer, along with building a core team, has been one of the main challenges — but a rewarding challenge.
4. How did you get involved in the food/drink sector?
I got involved in catering when I was 16 so I’ve been in the industry for the majority of my working life. I loved cooking and originally trained as a chef in my hometown at Aylesbury College. I also worked at a prestigious local hotel where I discovered a love for the front of house.
5. You’re an award winning sommelier –- tell us a bit about that!
After four years at the local hotel I had developed a keen interest in wine, and went to the world famous Chewton Glen Hotel in New Milton Hampshire in 1991. Here I worked under the legendary late Gerard Basset (Hotel du Vin, Hotel Terravina) and started competing in wine competitions. In 1994 I won the Ruinart UK wine waiter of the year and when Gerard left that year to set up Hotel du Vin in Winchester I took his place as Head Sommelier, where I remained until 2000. I was also a semi finalist in the Ruinart European championships in 1998.
6. Pick your favourite dish and drink combo from the Bistro 8 menu and tell us why it’s your go-to choice…
My favourite combo at the Bistro would be our beer battered cod and chips with an ice cold glass (or two) of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
7. Finally, who is your dream dinner party guest and why?
My dream dinner guest would be Keith Floyd, he loved to cook and loved his wine!!