“Too Baby-Faced for Property Agents to Take Me Seriously” Lee Cash's Inspirational Journey Career Path: Peeling Vegetables > Catering College > Restaurant Duty Manager > Pub Chain Founder *“First pub was called The Rose and Crown - It was a seedy drinking den but in a good location"* My Story: I acquired a passion for food as a child. The eldest of four, I saw my mother cook well for the family even when there wasn't much money. When money was tight we lived off lentil soup and vegetable stir-fries. I also learnt to be resourceful. I would go out fishing with friends and we would eat what I'd caught. At the age of 13, I took jobs in pubs peeling vegetables and washing up. I was keen to start cooking and after attending catering college I got a job as a duty manager in a restaurant. It was hard work. I was working 90 hours a week and at night I felt as if I could wring the blood out of my socks. It was before the minimum wage came in and I reckon I was earning less than £1 an hour but I loved it! I would escape on my days off to sample the food in London brasseries, dreaming up my own menus on the train home. Soon I started to make plans to open my own restaurant. Determined to learn from the best, I took a week's holiday to work for nothing at Raymond Blanc's restaurant - Le Petit Blanc. After five great years working for Raymond, I decided it was time to set up my own business. The rest is history! The rest is history! Funny Story: I was too baby faced for property agents to take me seriously, so I told them I was a property scout for one of the big leisure companies, looking for sites for a new restaurant concept! I also once accidentally drove a golf buggy off the course and into a lake whilst being chased by the green keeper!

“Too Baby-Faced for Property Agents to Take Me Seriously”

Lee Cash's Inspirational Journey

Career Path: Peeling Vegetables > Catering College > Restaurant Duty Manager > Pub Chain Founder

“First pub was called The Rose and Crown - It was a seedy drinking den but in a good location"

My Story: I acquired a passion for food as a child. The eldest of four, I saw my mother cook well for the family even when there wasn't much money. When money was tight we lived off lentil soup and vegetable stir-fries. I also learnt to be resourceful. I would go out fishing with friends and we would eat what I'd caught. At the age of 13, I took jobs in pubs peeling vegetables and washing up. I was keen to start cooking and after attending catering college I got a job as a duty manager in a restaurant. It was hard work. I was working 90 hours a week and at night I felt as if I could wring the blood out of my socks. It was before the minimum wage came in and I reckon I was earning less than £1 an hour but I loved it!
I would escape on my days off to sample the food in London brasseries, dreaming up my own menus on the train home. Soon I started to make plans to open my own restaurant. Determined to learn from the best, I took a week's holiday to work for nothing at Raymond Blanc's restaurant - Le Petit Blanc. After five great years working for Raymond, I decided it was time to set up my own business. The rest is history! The rest is history!

Funny Story: I was too baby faced for property agents to take me seriously, so I told them I was a property scout for one of the big leisure companies, looking for sites for a new restaurant concept!
I also once accidentally drove a golf buggy off the course and into a lake whilst being chased by the green keeper!