2019 marks the 30th year anniversary of the opening of Derbyshire’s treasured gastronomic magnet, Fischer’s at Baslow Hall, and with it, the restaurant is delighted to announce a trio of talented new additions to the team: Head Chef James Payne, Sous Chef Adam Thackeray, and Sommelier Matthew Davison. All three have trained in some of the world’s highest regarded restaurants across the UK, but are originally from the local area.
The beautiful, family-run Fischer’s at Baslow Hall was originally opened in 1989 by husband and wife, Max and Susan Fischer. 30 years on, both Susan and Max are still very much part of the day-to-day running of fine dining restaurant and hotel, along with their son Neil Fischer.
Max remains Executive Chef, overseeing the development of their award-winning seasonal tasting menus. Fischer’s received its first Michelin Star in its fifth year of business, and has retained the star ever since, garnering an impressive list of foodie accolades over the decades. Yet this iconic stalwart of the Derbyshire fine dining scene is very much moving forward with the times, constantly evolving, and injecting new life into the outstanding food and wine offering.
Talented and dedicated chef James Payne has been promoted from Sous-Chef, to Head Chef, taking over from Rupert Rowley. James joined Fischer’s in 2010 as a Chef de Partie, after gaining experience at Gordon Ramsay’s Claridge’s in London. As Head Chef, James will lead the team forward with eight years of brilliant cooking at Fischer’s under his belt, and an in-depth understanding of local ingredients and suppliers.
Joining James to complete a young and dynamic chef team, is Sous Chef Adam Thackeray, who worked at Fischer’s for 3 years, before heading to Scotland to work at the late, much-celebrated chef Andrew Fairlie’s Michelin starred Gleneagles restaurant. Adam began his career studying Catering and Hospitality at Sheffield College, under the watchful guidance of mentor and award-winning chef Mick Burke, who originally introduced Adam to Fischer’s.
Fresh from Michelin Starred Nottingham restaurant Sat Bains, Fischer’s are delighted to welcome Sommelier Matthew Davison to the team. Returning to his native Derbyshire, Matthew brings his in-depth wine knowledge, and creative flair, to Fischer’s 2019 drinks programme. Working with local and global producers, Matthew will be sourcing the very best wines to pair with Fischer’s gastronomic tasting menus. Spring and summer 2019 at Fischer’s will see Matthew host an English sparkling wine event, and a series of global wine dinners are planned that will focus on regional wines from individual countries, including the best of new world wine.
