It may be based in a garden centre but don't expect nursery food at Cameron's Restaurant. Emma Mayoh reports
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRSTY THOMPSON
Cameron’s Restaurant, Birkacre Nurseries and Garden Centre, Birkacre Road, Chorley, PR7 3QL.Tel: 01257 275299
Cameron’s Restaurant is a surprise. When it first opened four years ago there were murmurs that Chorley might not have been ready for it. In a town more renowned for the deliciously simple Chorley Cake than it is for its fine dining, it seemed some weren’t convinced that Susan and Christopher Cameron’s new restaurant at Birkacre Nurseries and Garden Centre would be a success.
It is true to say this isn’t your usual garden centre fare. The warm scones and jam and all day breakfasts have been replaced with dishes created by owner Christopher, a man with 25 years of catering experience.
When you discover he has cooked for everyone from the landed gentry at some of the north west’s stately homes, private parties for the rich and famous right through to the Queen, you know to expect something special.
Today, those early sceptics wend their way past the daffodils and delphiniums through to the conservatory style restaurant with such regularity that the menu has to be changed daily. You’ll find a host of Lancashire producers on it too as well as a few from just over the border.
It has been a lifelong dream for Christopher, who heads up the kitchen with Lancashire Young Chef of the Year finalist and sous chef Daniel Southern and commis chef Stacey McNally, to have his own business. Although his training was top notch, it was his grandmother Margaret Grierson’s influence that he credits for his culinary skills. For Sue, a former medical secretary and clerk, it has been quite a change. Since meeting Christopher she has discovered a passion for food and, together, they have become a formidable pairing.
Cameron’s Restaurant has won the Greatest Garden Centre Catering Team national award for the past two years, they received the Taste Lancashire Quality Assured marquee and they have won a Recipe for Health award from Lancashire County Council as well as a Restaurant of the Year accolade from a local newspaper. They also have an outside catering business, Cameron’s Outside, and act as consultants helping others set up restaurants around the country.
As hosts of the latest Lancashire Life lunch they picked a tough crowd. Lancashire Life guests, loyal customers, friends and family made up the more than 60 covers. But there are few restaurateurs who would have the guts to invite not only their landlords, the � Ainscough family who own the garden centre, as well as local dignitaries, including Iris Smith, Chorley’s mayor, and MP Lindsay Hoyle.
The food did not disappoint. Our starter was a sautee of king prawn, Pernod and cream with a green pea risotto which wine merchants C&O Wines Ltd served with a Panilonco Sauvignon Blanc.
A substantial and succulent carved fillet of Northern Gold beef from St Annes based Clifton Meats, married well with plump, soft, creamed potatoes, baby vegetables and a smattering of wild mushrooms in a red wine reduction. Another C&O Wines chosen 2006 Larchago Crianza rioja went well with our main as well as the delicate but rich roast pear and apricot frangipan on pate sablis. It was served with a creamy vanilla ice cream, praline and apricot coulis.
Coffee and petit fours finished off the afternoon along with many murmurs of approval. It may have taken a little convincing to get diners here when it first opened but Cameron’s now has a host of customers eager to return.
