Francis Girvan | The Harbour Cafe, Loch Venachar, Callander
"The best view in The Trossachs" & Good Food on the shores of Loch Venachar. Meet Francis Girvan of The Harbour Cafe, Loch Venachar in Callander.
Chef Francis Girvan,
The Harbour Café
Loch Venachar, Callander
1. Who past or present would you like to cook a meal for and why?
Gordon Ramsay. I would like to impress him in a kitchen if I could.
2. Have you ever been really nervous about cooking for anyone?
No. I have cooked for some celebrities and politicians but I am not the sort of person to panic. I just take things a step at a time.
3. Where or from whom did you get your desire to become a chef?
I found my interest in cooking when I was 15 years old. My friend Stephen McClafferty helped get me a job as a commis chef in Connelly’s bar, Greenock.
4. Quick and easy meal after service?
Penne Manzel. A strip of beef, pan friend with red onion served in a wholegrain mustard and garlic cream sauce and tossed with penne pasta.
5. Where is your favourite restaurant in Scotland and why?
Demagios in George Square, Glasgow. They keep food simple, Italian style and let the ingredients speak for themselves.
6. What would you say is your signature dish?
Grilled salmon with a smoked salmon and white wine sauce on a bed of churned potato and chives. I believe that this is an exceptional dish which gets rave reviews from customers.
7. Which celebrity chef would you most like to cook for you?
By the same measure as question 1, I would like Gordon Ramsay to cook for me as he is my professional idol.
8. What gadget could you not live without in your kitchen?
I would not like to be without my hand blender. The person who invented it should be knighted!
9. What is your favourite Scottish ingredient?
My favourite Scottish ingredient is langoustine from the west of Scotland. Unbeatable natural flavour.
10. Who is your favourite Scottish supplier?
I find that McKlay Wallace take a bit of beating.
11. Give three words that sum you up as a chef.
Good, reliable and versatile
12. What made you join EatScotland?
I think that Eat Scotland is making a difference in raising both standards and awareness of Scottish cooking. You are helping to raise the profile of quality restaurants and I would like to think that we re one of them.
Keep up the good work!
13. What do you feel EatScotland will add to your business?
Make us known to those for whom food quality matters. I also believe that the visitor to Scotland has, for too long, been forced to accept low standards. Your approved restaurants are showing what can be done and I am proud that we are one of them.
A Gateway to the Highlands and the eastern entry point to The Trossachs, Callander is ideally situated for exploration of the area. Callander has a good range of shops selling Scottish woollens and souvenirs. The Meadows and woodlands offer many attractive walks, while there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a range of activities including pony trekking, golf, tennis, mountain biking and sailing.
EatScotlands independent assessor said
The Harbour Café is situated within the Venachar Loch side angling centre and proves to be a welcoming stop on the A821 tourist route from Callander to Aberfoyle. This is a modern café with its wood burning stove and excellent loch side views.
Cullen Skink
A large bowlful of Creamy soup, flecked through with fresh parsley. Tasty fish, potato and onion, smoothly blended in a correctly seasoned stock. Freshly prepared, the soup was delicious soup, full of fishy flavour, rich and satisfying.
Toasted Ciabatta Roll with Roasted Vegetables & Brie
The toasted ciabatta roll was served with coleslaw and a large salad garnish. Softly roasted peppers and onions plus ripe Brie, sandwiched in a tasty ciabatta roll, lightly toasted. The coleslaw was homemade and was delicious.
Apple Tart
Good crisp pastry and a creamy custard layer, with a topping of softly poached apple slices. A good combination of flavours and textures.
The Harbour Cafe
Venachar Lochside
Callander
Perthshire
FK17 8HP
Scotland
Further contact details ...
Tel: +44 (1877) 330011
Fax: +44 (1877) 331155
E-Mail: info@venachar-lochside.co.uk
WWW: http://www.trossachs-leisure.co.uk