A village gastro pub has boosted its reputation after starring on Come Dine With Me: The Professionals - and amazed viewers with the appearance of a miniature Shetland pony called Basil. Chef Kyme Howells and general manager Gemma Carey showcased what they had to offer at the Red Lion in Thurgarton, a gastro pub which has just won an AA Rosette Award for its food.
Kyme, 28, rustled up a three-course menu of beef carpaccio with a truffle espuma, a main of chicken supreme with pomme puree and dessert of tonka bean cream. As fellow competitors heaped praise on the food, saying it was cooked perfectly and how much they loved it, Gemma, 25, became a bit emotional.
"It means a lot that you guys say that," and, with Kyme looking slightly embarrassed, she told him: "Sorry, don't be like that that, he's so modest, thank you." In the kitchen she added: "I'm just very emotional."
Read more: Come Dine With Me filming secrets ahead of Nottinghamshire episode on Channel 4 series
Earlier in the evening she was dancing in the kitchen "to lighten the mood" as Kyme was "super serious" while cooking the chicken. Rival chefs from Paris in Nottingham and The Plough in Normanton-on-the-Wolds were staggered when before the dessert they went to meet Basil, who has previously visited the pub.
Even though Paris won the competition, with the Red Lion and The Plough tying for second place, Kyme said he'd loved taking part. A runner-up in Nottinghamshire Live's Young Chef of the Year competition in 2015, Kyme said: "We were a lot younger than the others and it was just about getting our name out there.
"We were pretty happy with it. We did a viewing party for friends, family and staff. Everyone loved it, they were buzzing."
One fan of the gastro pub said: "You two were great! Well done guys should be really proud of yourselves. Gemma you made me howl."
Another viewer said: " FANTASTIC!!!!!Love it all all, the food Kyme produced was fantastic as ever. Gemma you were FABULOUS."
The Red Lion has also had stacks of praise in TripAdvisor reviews. One happy customer wrote: "Food was gorgeous! Service was very efficient. Staff very welcoming. We just popped in on our way back from a drive, no reservation made. Sat down straight away. Food was excellent. One of the best Sunday lunches I have had out in a long time. Highly recommend."
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