Popular Isle of Wight pub The Lifeboat's chef talks national awards

Last time, we spoke to Pete Evatt from The Sportsman's Rest, who told us about cooking for the Duchess of Kent and his love of salmon.

This time, we're shining a light on Michelle Boundy, known as Twiggy, head chef at The Lifeboat in East Cowes.

We spoke to Twiggy about her favourite Island ingredients to use in the kitchen and some of her favourite spots to eat.

Food at The Lifeboat (Image: Contributed)

What was the first meal you remember cooking for someone else?

When I was little, at home, I was allowed to make a hotpot.

I think it had to do with some sort of recipe that I had found in a magazine, and I was allowed to make it.

My grandmother and I used to do a lot of cooking, but she would let me watch not so much participate. 

She was very strict in the kitchen, but it stemmed from there.

What's the proudest moment of your career?

Not a lot of people know, but I won National Young Chef of the Year in the year 2000, two years before Robert Thompson.

I worked in London for four years after I left college and I was part of the British Culinary Team.

I did a lot of competitions and won a lot of gold medals.

That's probably my proudest moment, especially being a female.

The lady who won before me was probably Claire Clarke who was a pastry chef at Claridge's, so that was really cool.

What's your favourite dish to cook at The Lifeboat?

I much prefer it when we do the specials. 

The main menu caters for the wants of the locals, the fajitas, the nachos, the sizzlers, everything that's popular here tends to make the core of the pub.

But the specials are where the staff get to have their flair.

I pretty much let the chefs have their free rein.

At the minute, my favourite thing is that we've been doing the main of the day for £10. 

It's giving something back and making everything more affordable.

What's your favourite meal to cook at home?

Being a chef, I'm a bit lazy at home because I cook all the time, so I like to be cooked for.

I like traditional home-cooked food and I like going out for dinner.

Where's your favourite place to eat out on the Isle of Wight?

I've got a lot of friends who are chefs on the Island who are incredible.

I eat out a lot because I like to stay current and see what other people are doing.

The Lifeboat serves locally sourced ingredients (Image: Contributed)

Sometimes the best way to come up with new ideas is to see what other people are doing, plus it helps me maintain my interest in the job.

Adam Fendyke's cooking is probably my favourite at The True Food Kitchen in Ventnor, as well as Dan Maskell who's now at The New Inn in Shalfleet.

What's the key ingredient you always have on hand?

Salt is my go-to, and we try to use as much Isle of Wight produce wherever we can.

We get all our meat from Steyne Farm or The Butcher Shop in Cowes.

They make all our burgers for us by hand.

What's your culinary guilty pleasure?

Scotch eggs are my go-to, and pasties.

I'm a Cornish girl deep down and I'm a savoury person, I always will be, I love roast dinners, I like scotch eggs, and I love cheese.

The Lifeboat provides popular pub food, as well as specials (Image: Contributed) The pub uses locally sourced ingredients (Image: Contributed)