Authors Tony and Heather Flood with new Head Chef Alex Burtenshaw.
by Tony Flood
Pictures by Teri V Photography
The appointment by The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne of Head Chef Alex Burtenshaw to their elegant Mirabelle Restaurant means extra culinary delights for diners.
After attending a lavish food tasting at the impressively refurbished Mirabelle on Tuesday, I can highly recommend several of his dishes – the smoked Barbary duck breast, beef fillet and delicious pan tried scallops! A dessert to die for, as my wife, and fellow author, Heather will confirm, is sorbet accompanied by lemon tart.
Alex joins from Port Hotel in Eastbourne, and in his 14-year career has held Head and Sous Chef positions at award-winning hotel restaurants in Brighton, including Brighton Harbour Hotel and Spa, The Restaurant at Drakes Hotel and Hotel Du Vin.
The Mirabelle – one of two very popular restaurants at The Grand – has won multiple plaudits and awards, including being named in the top 50 restaurants in the UK in the Independent, and featuring regularly in The Good Food Guide.
Alex’s first endeavour has been to launch a brand new lunchtime menu at Mirabelle – a selection of exquisite courses featuring local Sussex fish, seafood, game, and vegetables for £25 for two courses, or £30 for three courses. Dishes include Cured Chalk Stream Trout with Lime Caviar, Venison Fillet with Ragu of Braised Haunch, and Honey Cake with Blackberry Compote.
Alex will also oversee a series of special events in 2024 and 2025, including a Best of Sussex Dinner featuring excellent local cheeses, fish and meats, and paired with Sussex wines.
New Head Chef Alex Burtenshaw (left) at work with Executive Head Chef Hrvoje Loncarevic
You can make reservations at The Grand by telephoning 01323 412345. Further details are available from grandeastbourne.com or, for events, speak to helpful Sales and Marketing Manager Billie-Jo Clarke at 07870 778984.
A fuller review, including the plans of Alex Burtenshaw and General Manager Jonathan Webley, will appear in the March issue of Bournefree magazine. Meanwhile, Bournefree Live have posted Tony Flood’s review of the food tasting on their site at https://bournefreelive.co.uk/new-head-chef-alex-burtenshaw-brings-extra-culinary-delights-to-the-grand-hotels-mirabelle-restaurant/
Tony Flood spent most of his working life as a journalist, initially on local and regional papers and then on nationals. He was also editor of Football Monthly, Controller of Information at Sky Television and enjoyed a spell with The People before retiring in 2010.
He recalls: “My work as a showbiz and leisure writer, critic and editor saw me take on a variety of challenges - learning to dance with Strictly Come Dancing star Erin Boag, becoming a stand-up comedian and playing football with the late George Best and Bobby Moore in charity matches.
“Now I spend much of my time writing books, and theatre reviews and articles for online magazines Unknown Kent and Sussex and The Write Site. I recently retired from playing veterans football, having been one of the oldest - and slowest - players in the country!” Tony's first book was fantasy adventure SECRET POTION, which went to No. 1 in its Amazon category and has been recommended by other authors for Harry Potter fans of all ages.
His celebrity book, MY LIFE WITH THE STARS – SIZZLING SECRETS SPILLED! is full of anecdotes and revelations about showbiz and sports personalities, including Eric Morecambe, Elvis Presley, Kylie Minogue, George Best, Frank Sinatra, Joan Collins, Strictly Come Dancing stars, Muhammad Ali and Bobby Moore, with whom Tony worked.
The versatile Mr Flood then turned to writing in another genre with spicy crime thriller TRIPLE TEASE, endorsed by best-selling author Peter James, actor Brian Capron and The Sun newspaper's Stuart Pink. Following the success of TRIPLE TEASE, Tony wrote STITCH UP! – KILLER OR VICTIM? and FALL GUY.
In BEGGARS BELIEF compassionate copper DCI Harvey Livermore and his Major Crime Team are again trying to put a killer behind bars in a gripping, fast-moving story.
Tony has also co-written, with his wife Heather Flood, LAUGHS AND TEARS GALORE – STORIES AND POEMS WITH TWISTS!
Tony gives talks about the showbiz and sports stars featured in his celebrity book, as well as holding miniworkshops and giving advice on how would-be authors can write a successful book. Any groups wishing to contact him can email: tflood04@yahoo.co.uk Tony is chairman of Anderida Writers of Eastbourne. The link for the Anderida website is:www.anderidawriters.co.uk
Alex joins from Port Hotel in Eastbourne, and in his 14-year career has held Head and Sous Chef positions at award-winning hotel restaurants in Brighton, including Brighton Harbour Hotel and Spa, The Restaurant at Drakes Hotel and Hotel Du Vin.
