Chef John Samson

Private Chef In Haddenham

I am an outgoing and fun-loving individual with a deep-seated passion for cooking. My culinary specialty lies in pastries and desserts, although my South African roots and nine years of living in Thailand have given me the expertise to create a wide array of unique and delicious dishes. I am capable of preparing a diverse range of culinary delights and can even tailor a special menu just for you.

My culinary journey includes valuable experience gained from working in a 2 AA Rosette-awarded restaurant and completing an apprenticeship at a 2-star Michelin establishment. My true calling is in the kitchen, and his dedication and love for the art of cooking shine through in every dish I prepare.

For me, cooking is...

Is a form of communication and intimacy. I speak through my food and show care and love on each and every plate I prepare.

I learned to cook at...

I grew up cooking in a kitchen at a young age and have always been self taught. I only done formal learning in pastry just last year.

A cooking secret...

Perfection. Making sure everything is married together on a plate and flavours work well alone and together.

My menus

Buon Appetito Italiano

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Mushroom And Ricotta Ravioli with a decadent mushroom sauce (V)

Bruschetta with Mozzarella and Balsamic Dressing (V/Ve)

Minestrone Soup with Freshly Baked Bread (V)

Steamed Mussels with Tomato and Garlic Sauce, Freshly baked Sourdough Bread

King Prawn Risotto

Mushroom, Squash and Courgette Risotto (V)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Slow cooked Beef Shin Ragu with Tagliatelle

Authentic Spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta and Runny Poached Egg

Chicken Milanese with Tomato and Basil Spaghetti and blistered Vine Tomatoes

Creamy Seafood with Fettuccine

Steak Tagliata with Balsamic Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables and Rocket Salad

Aubergine Parmigiano with Tomato and Basil Spaghetti and Blistered Vine Tomatoes (V)

Herb And Mustard Rack Of Lamb With Spinach And Roasted Potatoes Served With A Red Wine Demi-Glacé

Pan Fried Sea Bass with Balsamic Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables and Rocket Salad

Mushroom Spaghetti Carbonara with sauteed wild mushrooms and a runny poached egg (V)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu with a decadent chocolate sauce and kahlua ice cream (V)

Vanilla And Raspberry Panna Cotta With White Chocolate Ice Cream And Homemade Streusel (V)

Italian Mocha Chocolate Mousse And Crème Fraîche (V)

White Chocolate Parfait, Strawberry Coulis, Candied Strawberry, Homemade Strawberry Sorbet (V)

South African Braai

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Chilli Or Plain Boerewors (South African Sausage)

Chipotle, Honey, Pineapple And Chicken Skewers

Lamb Chops With Mint Salsa

Lemon And Herb Spring Chicken

Rib-Eye Steak With Bone Marrow Butter

Rump Steak Sliders With Homemade Chakalaka

Sweet And Sour Bbq Pork Spare Ribs

Tiger Prawns With Mango Salsa

Sweet Chilli Fish Of The Day

Boerewors Hot Dogs with caramalised onions

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

South African Potato Salad

Garden Salad with House Dressing

Grilled Sweetcorn With Butter

Homemade Garlic and Chive Bread

Cucumber and Tomato Salad with House Dressing

Triple Cooked Chips

Pap and Gravy

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Malva pudding with homemade custard

Milktart with homemade vanilla ice cream

Mini peppermint crisp cakes

The King's Table

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

(Un)Potted Crab with guacamole on toasted Sourdough Bread and Paprika Butter

Soft Polenta with Sauteed Wild Mushrooms and Parmesan

Baked Slow Cooked Hamhock pot with Cauliflower and aromatic cheese sauce

Beetroot and Blackberry Cured Salmon

Marinated Beetroot with Guacamole and pomegranate dressing

Twice Baked Cheese Souffle with Aromatic cheese sauce and rocket salad

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Garlic and Thyme Sirloin Steak, potato puree, roasted fennel, Sauteed Asparagus, Creamy Peppercorn Sauce

Coq Au Vin, mashed potatoes, Honey Glazed Carrots, Creamy red wine mushroom sauce and sauteed wild mushrooms

Pan Fried Salmon with Crispy Skin, Herby New Potatoes, Garlic Sauteed Spinach and Zesty Buerre Blanc Sauce

Butternut and Spinach Wellington, Fondant Potatoes, Sauteed Asparagus, Red Wine Demi-Glace (V/Ve)

Wild Mushroom and Root Vegetable Stew, homemade Rosemary scones, Paprika Greek Yogurt (V)

Homemade 3 seas fish cakes, triple cooked chips, chilli and garlic sauteed spinach, homemade tartare sauce

Slow Cooked Beef Short Rib, Honey Glazed Carrots and Parsnips, served with mashed potatoes and red wine gravy

Trio of Lamb Chops, Sauteed Seasonal Veg, Fondant Potatoes, Lamb Sauce, Homemade Mint Jelly

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Baked Chocolate Tart, Coffee Namelaka, Chocolate tuilles

Basque Cheesecake, Seasonal Berry Compote and Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Sticky Toffee Pudding, Caramel Sauce, Apple Jam, Apple Crisp, Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Fresh Berry Creme Brulee, Homemade Berry Sorbet, Homemade Shortbread

Orange Curd Tart, Lime infused Meringue, torched Orange Segments

Sawasdee Thailand

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Dipping Sauce ไก่สะเต๊ะ

Thai coconut Shrimp with Lemongrass Guacamole and Rocket Salad กุ้งมะพราวอบกว่าโคโมเล่ย์

Prawn Cocktail with guacamole and green curry rose marie sauce สลัดกุ้งซอสแกงเขียวหวาน

Spiced croquettes with sweet and sour aioliมันบดทอดซอสเปรี้ยวหวาน

Fresh Salad wraps with a spicy garlic dip ปอเปี๊ยสดน้ำจิ้มกระเทียม

Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet chilli dip ปอเปี๊ยทอดน้ำจิ้มไก่

Steamed Mussels with Penang curry white wine sauce and toasted homemade sourdough หอยแมลงภู่นึ่งวอศแกงพะแนง

Spicy Salmon Sashimi ยำแซลมอน

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef and Pineapple Penang Curry แกงพะแนงสับปะรด

Green Chicken Curry with Thai Aubergine แกงเขียวหวานไก่

Beef and Potato Massaman Curry มัสมั่นเนื้อ

Beef Namtok (Spicy Beef Steak Salad) น้ำตกเนื้อ

Pineapple and Chicken Fried Rice served in a pineapple ข้าวผัดสับปะรดไก่

King Prawn Pad Thai ผัดไทยกุ้ง

Tom Yum Goong (Sweet, sour and spicy coconut soup with prawns and vegetables) ต้มยำกุ้ง

Pla Sam Rod (Pan Fried Fish of the Day with sweet, sour and spicy sauce) ปลาสามรส

Stir fried Mixed Seafood with vegetables and curry paste ทะเลรวมมิตร์ผัดพริกเผา

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Thai Iced Tea basque Cheesecake with Homemade vanilla ice cream

Mango and Sticky Rice with Aromatic Coconut Sauce and Toasted Sesame Seeds

Deep Fried Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce and Chantilly Cream

Coconut Chocolate Delice with Homemade Coconut Sorbet and Chocolate Tuilles

Bonjour France

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Cheese Soufflé With Aromatic Cheese Sauce And Rocket Salad (V)

Beetroot And Goats Cheese Salad With Toasted Nuts And Citrus Vinaigrette (V)

Seared Scallops With Sautéed Spinach And Truffle Beurre Blanc

Lobster Bisque With Tarragon Crème Fraiche

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Filet De Beouf With Potato Puree, Sautéed Tenderstem Broccoli And Red Wine Jus

Duck À L’orange, Dauphenoise Potatoes, Snap Peas And Orange Reduction

Rack Of Herb Crusted Lamb, Fondant Potatoes, Asparagus And Red Wine Jus

Mixed Mushrooms Bourguignon With Garlic Mashed Potatoes And Sautéed Root Vegetables (V)

Butternut And Spinach Wellington, Fondant Potatoes, Asparagus And Red Wine Jus (V)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mixed Berry Crème Brûlée, Homemade Shortbread, Homemade Mixed Berry Sorbet

Fondant Aux Chocolat, Passion Fruit Cremaux, Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Tarte Au Citron, Coconut Meringue And Lemon Gel

Konichiwa Japan

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Teriyaki Chicken Wings with toasted sesame salad

Prawn Gyoza With Chilli And Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce

Vegetable Gyoza With Chilli And Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce (Ve)

Vegetable Tempura With Sweet Chilli Dip (Ve)

Yakitori Skewers

Miso Soup With Tofu And Wakame (Ve)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Miso And Teriyaki Salmon Served With Sweet Potato Croquettes And Miso Beurre Blanc

Glazed Pork Belly Served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes With Sesame Tenderstem Broccoli and asian slaw

Katsu Chicken With Japanese Curry Served With Japanese Rice And Sesame Tenderstem Broccoli and asian slaw

Aubergine Katsu With Japanese Curry Served With Japanese Rice And Sesame Tenderstem Broccoli and asian slaw (V/Ve)

Spice Crusted Tofu Served On A Bed Of Tenderstem Broccoli And Snap Peas And A Sweet Citrus Dressing (V)

Spice Crusted Tuna Served On A Bed Of Tenderstem Broccoli And Snap Peas And A Sweet Citrus Dressing

Gyukatsu (Beef Cutlet) served with Asian Slaw, Japanese Rice, Potato Salad and Yum Yum Sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bluefin Tuna Sashimi

Salmon Sashimi

Salmon Tataki With A Soy-Mirin Glaze

Rainbow Roll

California Roll

Spicy Tuna Roll

Volcano Salmon Roll

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Fluffy Japanese Cheesecake Served With Strawberry Sauce And Vanilla Ice Cream (V)

Matcha Swiss Roll With Raspberry Ganache And White Chocolate Decoration (V)

Nama Chocolate Delice With Vanilla Ice Cream And Sesame Tuilles (V)

Yuzu Tart with Lime Meringue with candied lemon peel (V)