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Chris and Hayley are directors of C&H Hotels and owners of The Bildeston Crown. The couple recently took The Three Kings to Fornham All Saints under their expert wings. It will open later this month and serve traditional pub food with a twist. Here they are talking to Gina Long.
Q: What is your connection to East Anglia?
A: We came here in 2004 when James Buckle invited us to become chef and manager of the Bildeston Crown. So we’ve been here for 17 years!
Q: What is your East Anglia paradise, what do you love most about East Anglia?
A: We love the variety of local produce, from fruits and game to meats and the range of artisan food suppliers.
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Q: What is your East Anglian hell, what do you hate most about living here?
A: There is not much to dislike. The lack of staff, especially a talented chef, is both difficult and disappointing.
Q: What is your favorite East Anglian restaurant?
A: Our favorites are managed by too many of our friends to mention.
Q: What’s your favorite way to spend an East Anglian night out?
A: Sitting in the late sun with a glass of something cool, sparkling and refreshing.
Q: What is your favorite East Anglian monument?
A: Ipswich Waterfront when the sun is shining, and we are surrounded by friends.
Langoustine and Duck Gyoza Bites at Bildeston Crown
– Credit: Mark Logan
Q: What’s the best thing that happens in East Anglia every year?
A: The Suffolk Show we miss now. Chris really enjoyed being on the kitchen scene to showcase local produce.
Q: What is your Mastermind specialty?
A: Fine wines and refined cuisine.
Q: What’s always in your refrigerator?
A: Cheese, Budweiser and wine.
Q: What is your philosophy of simple living?
A: Work very, very hard, play hard, and be happy.
Q: What are your favorite movies?
A: Chris is the Shawshank Redemption; Hayley’s Top Gun and we both love Ratatouille.
Chris Lee’s Asparagus Pie with Truffle Hollandaise Sauce
– Credit: Mark Logan
Q: What was your first job?
A: Chris was washing Hayley’s pot and waitress
Q: What is your most precious possession?
A: We are very proud of our three AA Rosettes
Q: Who do you admire the most?
A: Each other.
Q: What’s your biggest indulgence?
A: Food and drink with friends and a good lie-in on our days off.
Q: What do you like the most about yourself?
A: Consistency and attention to detail
Q: What’s your worst trait?
A: Chris’ OCD (everything must be lined up in the right place) and Hayley not taking the time to clean up.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Greece for a quick break and any Caribbean island for a longer break.
Q: The best day of your life?
A: Have the opportunity to run The Bildeston Crown as a business owner.
Q: What’s your favorite breakfast?
A: For Chris, it’s anything cooked by anyone else and Hayley loves Chris’ royal eggs.
Q: What’s your favorite drink?
A: Chris enjoys a Budweiser and Hayley a glass of Tattinger Champagne.
Q: What is your hidden talent?
A: Keep it hidden.
Q: When were you most embarrassed?
A: Chris as a trainee chef disposing of the consumed instead of the used oil just before the start of the service for a group of wedding guests. Chris remembers Hayley hissing wolf at him at first, causing many glasses to drop when she fell.
Q: What is your earliest memory?
A: For Chris, it’s being dropped off at school by his mother and chasing after her. For Hayley, it’s about putting a hair clip in a power outlet.
Chris and Hayley Lee with part of the Bildeston Crown team
– Credit: Mark Logan
Q: What song would you like to play at your funeral?
A: The tragedy!
Q: Tell us something that people don’t know about you?
A: Chris was selling double glazing before embarking on a career in the hospitality industry. Hayley was a semi-professional golfer.
Q: What’s the worst thing you’ve ever been told?
A: For Chris, it was when he handed in his summons and the chef told him: “I’ll double your salary if you stay.” A customer who has already whistled the wolf at Hayley for the service!
Q: Tell us why you live here and nowhere else.
A: Bildeston is the center of the universe.
The Bildeston Crown Garden Dining Room
– Credit: Mark Logan
Q: What do you want to tell our readers the most?
A: After nearly 18 months of pandemic disruption, times have been tough for everyone in the hospitality industry. We had amazing support and we would like to thank James Buckle, Babergh District Council and our takeaway customers without whom life would have been a lot less happy.
If you have a story, email [email protected] or follow Twitter: @ geewizzgee1 Instagram: @ginalong_geewizz
Visit thebildestoncrown.com to make a reservation.
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