A Private Chef's Perspective | Harper Fine Dining Blog

A Serving of Street Food and Vietnamese Vitality

Dean Harper | April 27, 2018

Arriving in Hanoi- Wow what a culture shock. Buzzing, bustly, noisy, dishevelled. Motorbikes everywhere, people sat on their haunches working on what they can to make a small living. everything from shoe shining, haircuts on the street, bike repairs and most interesting of all, street food and tonnes of it! Each serve one speciality be it noodles, quickly fried together with meet, garlic and loads of herbs in a hot wok to produce a delicious dish…

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Is Sous Vide Cooking Over Rated?

Dean Harper | June 27, 2017

It’s become a big trend to cook sous vide, water bathing fish and meat is a good method to tenderise and it allows for even cooking throughout while keeping the shape. It is a good technique for controlling temperatures and in kitchens, an effective tool for organisation and time saving.

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Italian Inspiration With Mr Al-Fayed’s Former Personal Chef

Dean Harper | April 25, 2017

I’m feeling extremely inspired, having just received 4 days tuition with a top Michelin star chef, and ex personal chef for Mr Al-Fayed. What a great guy, and chef to match. Matteo was passionate, focused and excited about Italian cooking.
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Culinary London: Fine Dining In The Capital

Dean Harper | March 16, 2017

Since the new year we have had a couple of foodie trips to London. We love how varied the London restaurant scene is from markets to Michelin starred fine dining restaurants and everything in between, you can’t go wrong! The restaurants we have recently visited and would highly recommend are…
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Culinary Perfection In Cape Town

Dean Harper | February 18, 2017

After a trip to Cape Town I am feeling thoroughly inspired. It’s a place where both fish and meat are of the highest quality and are cooked with skill and finesse by some of the worlds leading chefs. A foodies heaven! Fine dining at unbelievable value.
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