An Evening with Alan Lavender MBE 

The brother-in-law of President of Warwick Lions Alan Lettis is Alan Lavender MBE, who was Chef at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country house. He worked there from the time of Margaret Thatcher until his retirement when Gordon Brown left.

Dressed in his impressive Chef’s whites emblazoned with his name and a Royal Crest, he welcomed the Mayor, Councillor Michael Kinson and Mayoress Enid. He then talked about the Prime Ministers he had served and their favourite foods. He also had anecdotes about the four American Presidents and royalty whom he had met and cooked for.

Whilst talking, he demonstrated a series of dishes using a single ceramic hob, a pan, knives and a recalcitrant food processor.

His phone calls from Chequers were routed via the switchboard at 10 Downing Street, so if he asked to speak to a supplier he would find himself speaking to the Managing Director and nothing he required would be too much trouble.

Instead of a raffle there was a collection for Warwick Lions Club Charities and a Heads and Tails competition to win a Warwick Lions Easter Egg.

On arrival guests were given a cup of thick soup and asked to identify the ingredients. In the course of the evening they also sampled a gin and tonic sorbet, a risotto and then they ate a half time buffet with drink. At the end Chef prepared Eton Mess for everyone.

Chef Alan Lavender MBE shares his recipes at www.premier-chef.com/.

The Evening made over £1,000 for Warwick Lions Charities.

Warwick Lions www.warwicklions.co.uk are holding an information meeting at 8 pm on Wednesday 20th April at the Warwick Arms Hotel, High Street, Warwick. Please come and meet them.