Meet the Chef: Andras Kurucz preparing pizza at The Stable

Andras Kurucz, from Hungary, moved to Winchester a few years ago after living in Birmingham. 

The head chef at The Stable in The Square is known for dishing up fresh sourdough pizzas with incredible toppings and sides. 

Having worked a variety of jobs in hospitality, lockdown helped Andras find his passion for cooking. 

See what Andras has to say below... 

READ MORE: We want to hear from the best chefs working in Hampshire

Andras Kurucz has been working in the industry for 20 years Tell us a bit about your career so far...

Born in Hungary at 1986. and studied Hospitality, catering and cooking in college. Worked in restaurants, started as a kitchen porter then moved to the front of the house as a waiter and manager when I was 14 years old. I worked almost every possible position that a restaurant requires.

Festivals, street food stalls, pubs, bars, Café, fine dining restaurants, what you ever you imagine I tried. I always wanted to know more and I was not lazy to learn and work hard.

After I moved to the UK in 2017 I found a job at Birmingham International Airport and worked in Blanc at Noir Champaign Bar as a team leader, later the place changed to Bottega Prosecco Bar and I kept my position.

Unfortunately, the global pandemic and restrictions hit hard the aviation sector and the hospitality.

After four years in Birmingham, I moved to Winchester and since then I have worked at The Stable as a Head Chef.

What inspired you to become a chef?

I have always been passionate about making food for my friends and family. During the lockdown, I could spend more time trying new recipes and taking my cooking skills to a new level. That was the time when I decided to become a chef.

What was the first meal you cooked for someone else?

To be honest I don't remember as I always helped in the kitchen since my childhood.

What is your proudest career moment to date?

The proudest moment in my career so far is to have achieved the Head Chef position after I proved my capabilities to The Stable's management for whom I will always be grateful for giving me this opportunity.

What is your favourite dish currently on your menu?

That is a hard question as I like a lot of things, but if I had to choose one thing, I would probably say the Cheesy Garlic Bread which I can not resist.

What is your favourite place to eat in Hampshire and why?

Other than The Stable, I am always looking for new places and experiences, different cuisines and dishes to keep myself in a loop with the trends.

What is your favourite meal to eat at home?

I love to eat steaks. My favourite cut is a nice thick T-bone steak cooked over charcoal on BBQ. It is a perfect family meal for us. I love the New York Strip part and my fiancé a big fillet mignon fan.

What is your culinary guilty pleasure?

Not sure if this is a guilty pleasure but whenever I am able to save up enough, I like to go and visit famous Michelin-star restaurants with my fiancé across Europe.

Which chef do you most admire and why?

I was lucky to be able to visit the Roca brother's restaurant the El Cellar The Can Roca in Girona, Spain. The Head Chef, Joan Roca is one of the best chefs in the world. He collaborates traditional cuisine together with avant-garde techniques, which implies research of both modern techniques and traditional recipes. He is the chef who I admire the most.