Simon Hulstone, chef proprietor at The Elephant, in Torquay, is an award-winning chef with a talent for using local, seasonal produce to create memorable flavours.
Among some of his other accolades are the Craft Guild of Chefs’ National Chef of the Year 2008, the Roux Scholarship in 2003, Captaincy of the English and British Culinary teams and New Zealand Young Chef of the Year.
Simon has worked with some of Britain’s most respected chefs including his father Roger who was executive chef at the luxury Imperial Hotel in Torquay; Simon worked alongside his father in the kitchen from the age of 14.
His chef mentors and experience in top competitions have given Simon a passion for great ingredients and a finesse for taste and presentation which continues to win praise from critics and customers alike.
The Elephant restaurant and bar has held three AA rosettes since 2005. In 2006, Simon and his team won Torquay its first Michelin star, which The Elephant maintains today.
Simon acknowledges the huge benefits of winning the Roux Scholarship which gave him the chance to work with Martín Berasategui at his eponymous restaurant in Spain which has an outstanding three Michelin stars. He is passionate about nurturing young talent and works with catering colleges offering work experience, training chefs to Michelin standards and mentoring them to compete in national and international competitions.
Outside of the restaurant, his highlights include working with Heston Blumenthal to create a menu for British Airways passengers during the Olympics and Paralympics and preparing a Team GB fundraising banquet which was attended by Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.
The Elephant is run by Simon and his wife Katy, and is a bright, informal restaurant overlooking Torbay harbour.
Taking the commitment to local produce seriously, The Elephant has its own dedicated 69-acre farm in South Devon. The farm rears free-range pigs, sheep, hens and turkeys and cultivates seasonal fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers.
Follow Simon at:
Website : The Elephant Restaurant
