AS part of our Meet the Chef series, we're talking to some of Cumbria's finest about their lives in and out of the kitchen. This week, it's the turn of Colin Sherwood 

What is your current role and what does it involve?
I’m the chef and co-owner of The Thorne Tree Bistro with my wife Hannah.

How long have you been a chef?
Over 20 years. This makes me feel old!

How did you first get into cooking?
I went to college at 16 to train as a chef, driven by my clear passion for cooking even at that young age.

Where did you learn your craft?
Crawley College.

What was your first job in hospitality?
Denbies Wine Estate on Bradley Lane in Dorking.

What is your signature dish?
Raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake.

What’s been your worst cooking disaster?
We were catering an event for 200 guests, and everything was going smoothly for the starter and main courses. However, when it was time for dessert, which I was responsible for, I discovered we were 18 portions short. I had to face the music and went to the office for a royal telling-off.

What are your culinary ambitions?
Opening the bistro was a lifelong ambition, and I am dedicated to seeing it flourish. Who knows, there might be more Thorne Tree Bistros in the future!

What do you like to eat?
I love food, so that’s a tough question to answer. However, I do have a particular fondness for steak - who doesn’t?

How do you achieve a work/life balance?
Since opening our business in November 2023, balancing work and family life has been challenging, especially with three children.

However, Hannah and I have recently become fundraisers for Bee Unique, an incredible charity that supports families with children on the autism spectrum and associated learning difficulties.

As part of our fundraising efforts, we have been exploring the fells and plan to hike Skiddaw, Helvellyn, Catbells, and Scafell Pike with our children.

This not only allows us to spend quality time together as a family but also helps raise funds for this worthy cause.

The Thorne Tree Bistro is just one of the venues taking part in the Cumberland Food & Drink Programme which is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Cumberland Council and Sellafield, visitlakedistrict.com/taste.