Stephen Harris, chef and proprietor of the Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent

Stephen Harris, chef and proprietor of the Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent

It is over five years not out for The Sportsman at Seasalter on the Kent coast. Stephen Harris, co-owner and chef at the Sportsman is just as passionate, not to say messianic, about food as he was when he and brother Phil opened this unlikely destination restaurant in 1999. Despite currently being considered for a Michelin Star, Harris runs an outfit without the associated bells and whistles, keen not to put off ordinary folk from visiting and determined to create a relaxed environment and put the food at the heart of the Pub. All his seemingly infinite energy is focused on the food; which must be thoughtfully put together, reflect the locality, tantalise with taste and texture and reach the heights of quality found at the likes of Ramsey's, The French Laundry & Co. When Spy sent a crack team to break down this unpretentious front, they left empty handed and converted to his faith, although they were possibly influenced by a feast of seabass & the freshest of summer vegetables with the smoothest mash ever, followed by rhubarb sorbet spiked with space dust, which they described as an English summer on a plate. The team did however get him to talk of his journey from History man and City geezer, through new boy in the kitchen at 30 to a happy ever after in Whitstable. Take a listen for yourselves.

Ice-cream & revolution by the sea

Fussy eater to exotic moussaka

Damascus Part 1

Damascus Part 2

Return of the prodigal chef

Pretentious Me?

Back to Basics

The Last Supper