NEW chef Declan Chubb has been cooking up a storm since he was appointed at the Cranborne Garden Centre cafe.

The Dorset-born chef with a passion for local produce, served up more than 100 lunches with his special Mother’s Day menu which was bookedin record time.

Now he is preparing for the official re-launch of the garden centre over the May Day bank holiday weekend (May 2-4) which will see the centre restored to its former glory with a contemporary twist.

In time, Declan plans to use ingredients sourced from the newly planted Cranborne Garden Centre Kitchen Garden, straight from plot to plate.

The 240year-old chef first began his career at the age of 15, being trained by head chef Daniel Brinklow at The New Inn, Cerne Abbas, a gastro pub with a focus on local produce.

Following his initial training Declan went on to complete a degree, whilst continuing to work in kitchens and has spent the past two years working for a Dorset catering company.

Declan told Taste: "I’m keen to source local ingredients and add a contemporary twist to British classics. This Easter weekend we are offering a set lunch menu, and we hope to beat the Mother’s Day lunch numbers!”