Food and drink

Paul Clerehugh with Eat Reading director of food Chris Barber, Reading Post deputy editor Hilary Scott and BID manager Guy Douglas
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Paul Clerehugh ‘had to be first food hero’

By Paul Cassell
October 13, 2010

Top celebrity chef Paul Clerehugh is enjoying the sweet taste of success after being named the town’s first Reading Food Hero.

The owner of London Street Brasserie in the town centre and The Crooked Billet in Stoke Row proudly accepted the Reading UK CIC Eat Reading award at a reception on Monday night.

The awards recognise the best food and beverage producers, retailers, chefs and restaurateurs.

The self-trained chef and food monthly columnist, said: “We are delighted and honoured – and it is a ‘we’ because I may be the big head who shows off at the brasserie but it is all the rest of the team who should be equally proud, and they are.

“Eat Reading is all about raising the profile of Reading’s foodies which is fantastic. We have places like Frost’s in Union Street, Loddon Valley Brewery and great cafés like Picnic, so to be compared with them is very humbling.”

The Reading Food Hero award was judged by a panel including food monthly editor Hilary Scott, Guy Douglas from Reading UK CIC, food writer Alison Hepworth, Jon Salmon from Yell, Helen Waring from Cream Design and Darren Parkinson from Parkinson Holt, letting agents for The Blade.

Said Ms Scott: “Paul Clerehugh just had to be Readings’s first food hero, because that’s exactly what he was. He is the man who brought good food to Reading. It was Paul, alongside the late Chris Rogers who began the County Deli, now sadly closed, who opened up the amazing world of food to the town.

“Paul had – and still has – The Crooked Billet in Stoke Row, and it is there he began to serve food that went down a storm and put the pub on the map. So much so, of course, that Kate Winslet chose the Billet for her first wedding reception when Paul famously served bangers and mash for the guests.”

She went on to recognise his numerous TV appearances, his role as a consultant for Jamie’s School Dinners, hosting the Schools Food Trust conference, which acknowledged the beacon status Reading has for school meals in the UK, and his numerous achievements including a Pride of Reading award in 2006.

The toast was to a line from rapper 50Cent and Ms Scott encouraged guests to raise their glasses to: “Paul, we love you like a fat kid loves cake.”

Eat Reading was launched in June this year by Reading UK CIC, a company set up to promote and drive forward investment to develop the town’s economy.

It began with the first Eat Reading Live event in Market Place offering the shoppers the chance to sample a whole host of culinary treats from restaurants around the town.

This followed a Fresh Food Festival at The Oracle shopping centre and saw crowds enjoy demonstrations from chefs including Mr Clerehugh, Daniel Galmiche and Mike Robinson.

Mr Douglas, business improvement district (BID) manager at Reading UK CIC, said: “We aim to run events and promotions to animate the heart of Reading, and what better way to motivate people than through food and drink? As time goes by, we hope to enhance Reading’s reputation as having a food culture that combines the town’s heritage and traditions with exciting and diverse cuisines it offers.”

To have your say on who should be put forward as a future Reading Food Hero or for more information visit www.livingreading.co.uk/eatreading.

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Most recent user comments 10 of 10

Anyone who knows the Crooked Billet from the early 70s to the 80s will remember "Nobby" the landlord.

Not that Worral Tompkinson bloke that owned it.

Nobby is as much of a folk hero in Stoke Row as Elvis is in Reading.

MartinD, Tilehurst
13/10/2010 at 20:16

Have to agree the use of the term Hero is stretching things a tad to far!

I would have also thought that such a celebrated chef would ensure his team achieved more that 3 stars on the RBC food safety ratings! See http://www.reading.gov.uk/environmentandplanning/foodsafety/foodsafetystarratingscheme/foodsafetyscores.asp?id=285772

Scribbles, Reading
13/10/2010 at 17:06

Retrospectively name Mr Huntley & Mr Palmer as first food hero for Reading then. Or perhaps Mr Cocks.

Les Miserables
13/10/2010 at 13:49

I dont have a problem wih Paul or his braserie (which happens to be my fav place to eat) and I applaud his efforts and achievements.

I do however have a problem with the wording of this award. You would of thought Hilary Scott would have thought it through.

little voice
13/10/2010 at 13:46

Mr London Street
13/10/2010 at 13:36

I could not agree with you guys more.

little voice
13/10/2010 at 13:15

Lol @ Hero?

Still rather have Rambo with me if I got stuck in Whitley one dark night. :)

J Low, Reading
13/10/2010 at 13:07

–noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros. 1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. 2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child. 3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc. 4. Classical Mythology . a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity. b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability. c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.

You can support real heroes next Saturday at Newbury Racecourses Armed Forces Day

http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/