From a very early age I knew that cooking was what I wanted to do with my life and after many years of working in the hotel business in Scotland, returned to England and ended up in London with an outside catering business and Organic bakery. The move to Devon came about after seeing the house in an estate agents window. It was love at first sight and with the generous help of my sister I was able to realise the dream.
Cooking at Grey cottage allows me to indulge my passion for good food. I love to search out the best ingredients and strongly believe in keeping it local. Quite simply food that hasn't travelled far tastes better. This theory won't stop me from cooking exotic foods but there has to be a good reason to buy something that comes from the other side of the world.
As a diabetic I understand the problems faced by people with special dietary requirements and am more than happy to adjust recipes to suit. Just let me know in good time.

Breakfast Menu
From the sideboard
Freshly squeezed orange juice
Fresh fruit
Dried fruit compote
Vanilla poached prunes
Rhubarb compote
A vast selection of cereals and muesli, Natural Yoghurt
Prepared to order
Fruit smoothies and vege juices
Bacon, eggs, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms
In any combination
Eggs, boiled, poached, scrambled or omelette
Please order the previous evening
Porridge, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon
Smoked haddock with poached egg
Loch Fyne kippers, Kedgeree
Pancakes with maple syrup
Blueberry & sour cream muffins
French toast with cinnamon and bananas
And endless supply of
Toast, homemade bread, preserves, tea, coffee and hot chocolate
The following are samples of dinner menus. I sort out the menus two or three days in advance and am always open to suggestions. Dinner is served with all guests seated at the same table in the style of an elegant family meal and as there is no choice on the day it is very important to make sure that all your likes and dislikes are mentioned at the time of booking.

Summer Menus

Smoked haddock and prawn chowder;
Lamb, roasted with garlic and Roquefort
Summer pudding

Confit of duck with watercress and orange salad
Salmon fillet with tapenade and fresh tomato and dill sauce
Lemon meringue pie

Tomato and basil tart
North Devon Bouillabaisse 
Crème brulee with blackcurrants

Smoked trout salad with pancetta and horseradish
Duck breast with raspberry sauce
French chocolate cake with balsamic strawberries

We have access to excellent lamb and beef reared in the valley, sea bass when available and several local people producing the highest quality fruit and vegetables and I make every effort to use as much local produce as possible.

Perhaps an afternoon Cream Tea on the lawn, enjoying the wonderful views across the wooded valley