When did you first take an interest in cooking, and when did you decide you wanted to become a chef?

Both my parents used to cook, all from scratch, good wholesome English food. I’ve always cooked at home, experimenting with different styles and ingredients. The realisation of being a chef came much later.

Where did you do your training?

Through my time in the military, cooking when in the field on manoeuvres in some pretty taxing conditions (although I wasn’t a caterer while in the army there were many occasions when one had to cater for oneself and comrades). On leaving the Army I lived in London, where there is such a variety of cuisines, ingredients and influences. That was a real inspiration. My wife and I lived in Cáceres, Spain, while studying at the University of Extremadura. We were studying language, not catering, but since becoming fluent in Spanish and having been immersed in Spanish culture, I am strongly of the opinion that language, culture and food are inextricably linked and form the basis of understanding a country and its people.

How would you describe the style of food served in your restaurant?

The style of food at El Toro is Hispanic. That is to say that we draw from the Spanish speaking world i.e. Spain, Central and South America, Caribbean etc.. Having said that we have recently enhanced our menu and put some real crowd pleasers on it such as our home made burgers, of which there is a variety, all of which are fantastic! Also our new lunch menu (available Tue – Sat 12 – 2pm) reflects the British eating habits at this time; my favourite being the hot steak and mushroom baguette. We have revised our menus to broaden our appeal but all of our food is done with certain Mediterranean influences. Our steaks are second to none. They are all from Wiltshire stock, all matured for 30 days, grass fed and free range. They are cooked on a parillada griddle (Argentinian style) and are served with our own chimichurri sauce.

Do you have a signature dish? If so, what?

I guess I’d have to say our speciality paellas are our signature dishes. It is a difficult choice really as our menu is extensive and wide ranging.

What would you order from your own menu?

I would order anything from our menu confident that it is great quality and tasting, prepared with care. If I was really hungry I would go for the ‘Parillada’ which is a mixed grill of 10oz prime rump steak, whole fresh chorizo sausage, morcilla (spanish black pudding), two mushrooms, two fried eggs served with chips, salad and chimichurri sauce). Then I would have to have a siesta…

Your favourite vegetable, and why?

I like all vegetables (except for celery!). Anything seasonal and fresh is good for me and often finds its way on to our menu. Often the misconception is that us, being a steak and tapas restaurant, would not cater well for vegetarians. We have gone to great lengths to address this and include at least two vegetarian main courses at any time, and have a wide range of tapas to suite all dietary requirements.

And favourite dessert?

I’m not a great one for desserts however I can be tempted by blackberry and apple crumble with custard.

Do you cook a lot at home? What sort of food?

I cook a wide range of food at home; traditional English, oriental, Asian and Spanish (obviously). My wife, being from Finland, cooks a lot of Nordic cuisine.

Where else locally do you like to eat?

We rarely get the time to eat out, however, the Sunday lunch at our neighbours The Pig on the Hill is good. Los Gatos are good at what they do and have encapsulated the bustling Spanish tapas bar ambience well.

But I wait until my infrequent visits home to West Bromwich to get superb Asian cuisine.

Why should people come to El Toro?

People should come to El Toro for good honest food at a good honest price.

We have launched a new and exciting lunch menu, and are about to launch a Monday steak night where one can have two 10oz prime rump steaks for the price of one plus other offers. Wednesday night is going to be ‘Paella night’.

All of these will be advertised in the Swindon Advertiser very soon and will carry some promotional offer deals.