The Seven Sins of Liam Dillon |
Chef Patron, The Boat Inn, Lichfield |
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Born in Burton-on-Trent, 31 year old Liam Dillon is chef and owner of award-winning, The Boat Inn in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Like most within the culinary world, Liam’s early experiences of food determined a certain path that has placed him in some of the best restaurants in the UK.
It was his early memories of his Nana’s everyday dinners, cooked for the whole family who had been at work all day, which became a long-lasting memory of how food can be the glue that keeps us together. Nevertheless, Liam’s family values meant that school was taught to be a priority and Liam was encouraged to stay at school until he finished his A Levels.
After education, like many of the same age, Liam’s passion for adventure took charge and he travelled to Australia, New York and Denmark. |
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Along the way, his eyes were opened to different styles of cooking, the handling of ingredients and the relationship chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality experts had with the culinary world.
Particularly inspired by his time in Australia whose varied landscape of mountains, jungle, forest, arid plains, and coastal regions, had a huge impact on his cooking and reinvigorated his love for cooking fish and seafood.
Two years on and Liam and The Boat Inn are fully focused on their offering, an offering that is not available anywhere else in the city. Liam serves quality-driven set lunch menus, a solid a la carte menu, and a tasting menu experience for guests that want to treat themselves.
He also cleverly uses the restaurant to bring big names to the city so that Lichfield locals can experience their food, opening up their palate to different flavours and techniques, slowly raising the dining standards of the area, and stand proud within the culinary crowd.
Liam’s progressive approach to the dining scene in Lichfield has seen him win numerous awards in a very short amount of time. He was awarded ‘Best Chef’ at the Midlands Food Drink & Hospitality Awards, beating the likes of Sat Bains, Aktar Islam, and Andy Waters to name a few. Soon after, The Boat Inn picking up ‘Best Independent Restaurant’ by the Taste of Staffordshire Awards in 2018. Most recently the restaurant was awarded ‘Newcomer of The Year’ at the Top 50 Gastropub Awards. But it was three and a half weeks after the restaurant opened that the Michelin Guide came down to check out Liam’s new venture. The Boat Inn has now been listed in the Michelin Guide ever since it opened. Liam has high aspirations of bringing a Michelin star to Lichfield and being a local lad, shining some light on the Midlands dining scene.
Through various events such as wine tastings, beer tastings, Champagne dinners and Game dinners, Liam’s main objective is to keep making The Boat Inn the best it can be, with an excellent reputation for guest experience and leading the dining scene in Staffordshire. |
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| Wrath - What makes you angry about the hospitality industry?
I think that the industry is changing and I’m more concerned than angry. I hope the industry can cope with the changes in working hours, food costs etc.
Greed - If all your food fantasies came true what would be on your Plate?
Very simply, cold seafood platter, bottle of crisp white wine… I’d die happy.
Sloth - What do you do to unwind?
Trying to find time to unwind is a task in itself. I’ve started trying to get the odd football match in.
Pride - What are you most proud of?
I’m extremely proud of how far the restaurant has come already! Everyone that is working here is really stepping up to the plate of what we think we can achieve.
Lust - Is there anything that you are still lusting to achieve?
I feel that we as a team at The Boat Inn have a huge amount more to offer our guests so yes, but simply to keep getting better as a unit.
Envy - who are you most envious of?
I don’t think I envy anyone really.
Gluttony - have you ever over indulged?
I think that when I do get chance to eat in a nice restaurant I over- indulge every time!
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| We put the spotlight on the industry's most recognisable faces in our new interview segment "Seven Sins". If you want to know what inspires the industry's movers and shakers or what your favourite food loving celebrity likes to indulge in then you'll find it in their Seven Sins. |
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