34LimitedEditionEssex
By CLAIRE
BORLEY
F
AMILY was the inspiration
behind Darren Bennett's
passion for cooking.
"My family owned a pub in
Norfolk, and we always ate out,"
he says.
But having been at the helm of
the Magic Mushroom in
Barleylands Road, Billericay, for the
past 13 years, Darren, 39, now
relishes making the experience of
eating out special for others.
The restaurant has just
undergone refurbishment, and
despite more than 25 years in the
food industry, Darren is still as
excited about it.
"Buying my own restaurant is a
real high in my career," he says,
"and it is thanks to my college
lecturer, Chris Galvin, who inspired
me to cook to perfection."
Despite citing food alchemist
Heston Blumenthal as his food
hero, Darren maintains more
down to earth tastes closer to
home with egg, chips, bread and
butter as his favourite home food.
"The biggest myth about chefs is
that when we are invited out to
dinner, most people dislike to
cook for them because they think
you are going to criticise their
food," Darren laughs.
But back in the restaurant his
favourite ingredient to work with
is fresh fish, with scallops in
particular at the top of the list.
And his advice for budding
chefs? "The more you put in, the
more you get out of it," smiles
Darren.
Here, the chef shares two of his
favourite recipes from the Magic
Mushroom menu.
the kitchen
Savouring time in
13 years after first taking charge, Darren Bennett is still in
love with his restaurant, Billericay's Magic Mushroom
LErecipe for success Dark wood and
cream leather interior
at Magic Mushroom
LErecipe for success
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10Page 11Page 12Page 13Page 14Page 15Page 16Page 17Page 18Page 19Page 20Page 21Page 22Page 23Page 24Page 25Page 26Page 27Page 28Page 29Page 30Page 31Page 32Page 33Page 34Page 35Page 36Page 37Page 38Page 39Page 40Page 41Page 42Page 43Page 44Page 45Page 46Page 47Page 48Page 49Page 50Page 51Page 52Page 53Page 54Page 55Page 56Page 57Page 58Page 59Page 60Page 61Page 62Page 63Page 64Page 65Page 66Page 67Page 68Page 69Page 70Page 71Page 72Page 73Page 74Page 75Page 76Page 77Page 78Page 79Page 80Page 81Page 82Page 83Page 84Page 85Page 86Page 87Page 88Page 89Page 90Page 91Page 92Page 93Page 94Page 95Page 96Page 97Page 98Page 99Page 100
Produced by PageSuite