A STROUD chef will be holding a private pop-up for two evenings at Birch restaurant in the town centre.

Rowan Hinder, 21, has already gathered a wealth of experience which he will be using for his menu on November 14 and 15.

“There will be two evenings of great food and great service to showcase everything I’ve learnt,” said Rowan.

Born and bred in Stroud, the young chef has just returned from France where he spent the summer in Burgundy cooking at the prestigious wedding venue, the Château de Varennes, which CNN voted as one of the top 10 places in the world to get married.

“I ran my first pop-up restaurant was when I was 12-years-old at Finley’s café in Stroud, which went onto be No 23.”

“I then went onto work with No 23 from age 13 upwards until I was the sous chef there before leaving to join Hobbs House Bakery in Nailsworth.”

Rowan worked at Hobbs House for a year before progressing to Development Chef for all of their Cotswold and Bristol shops for two years.

While in London, Rowan worked for the Roux Brothers in Westminster, under the supervision of national chef of the year Steve Groves.

“In France we cooked for almost 150 people twice a week all summer, and were largely just a team of three, but it’s something I’m so passionate about.”

“But I’m a local boy really, and I’m coming back to show the people of Stroud everything I’ve learnt.

“So, I’d like to invite everyone to come and taste some of the dishes that inspire me, encourage me and define me – a taste of London, a taste of France and of course, a taste of Stroud.”

Rowan is also looking at new, eco-friendly ways to help evolve the industry, and he will be introducing a zero-waste initiative for the pop-up, and you will need to pre-order to attend.

“I’ve done the initiative because a third of all food goes to waste worldwide, so pre-ordering is compulsory, the industry has a lot to answer for.”

To book, contact by phone on 01453 758477, or by email, wesley@birchcatering.com

Rowan is also on Facebook as Rowan Hinder Private Chef, and Instagram as @rowan.hinder.private.chef.