Charlie Curran, Head Chef at Peppercorn has over 25 years’ experience in the food industry.
His training began at 17 at the Thomas Danby College in Leeds and he got a foot in the catering door washing pots at Headingley cricket ground alongside his studies. Charlie subsequently moved to Reading to work as a Commis Chef at Pincents Manor, continuing in the same role a year later at Herefordshire’s Brockencote Hall for a 12-month stint. The north beckoned once more and Charlie progressed to become Chef de Partie at Leeds’ Haley’s Hotel for 18 months before the arrival of his big career break – a role at chef Brian Turner’s London restaurant.
Under Turner, Charlie worked his way from Chef de Partie, up to Sous chef and finally Head Chef during his five years with the TV favourite. Head Chef role under his belt, Charlie made the journey back up north and worked at a number of establishments including Milano’s in Sheffield, Haley’s in Leeds, the Leopold Hotel and 543 in Sheffield - the latter where he met General Manager Kelly Ware.
The couple moved onto a joint venture running the Samuel Fox at Bradwell, Derbyshire where Charlie held two AA Rosettes and a Good Food Guide entry before the owners put the building onto the market.
Along with Kelly, Charlie likes to spend his free time eating in other establishments and taking inspiration from things he sees. He is inquisitive when it comes to learning new techniques and enjoys challenging himself to make things different with creative twists.
Charlie is now looking forward to the challenge of opening his own successful restaurant Peppercorn.
"Chefs are strange creatures; their trade is more of a calling, a vocation, than a career. They start young; the training is hard, the hours long, the pay meager. Chefs work when others are having fun. They don’t have real friends. Their marriages don’t work; their children don’t like them. And no one ever invites a chef round for dinner."
- A.A. Gill for Vanity Fair, November 2012
- 2018
Hi everyone
After much consideration, myself and Charlie have decided to move on so our last day trading here at Peppercorn Restaurant will be Christmas Day 2018.
We have really enjoyed our five years here and feel proud of what we have achieved.
We would like to thank our amazing diners for their custom and loyalty over the last five years - we will miss you!!
Be sure to look out for news about our next move!
Kelly & Charlie
- 2018
Hi everyone
I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year.
We certainly did, followed by an amazing trip to Australia to see my kids.
Don't forget that Mothers Day is right around the corner. We are now taking reservations so give Kelly a call on 0114 2350101 to make your booking. Be quick though!!
We hope for your continued support throughout 2018. Lets make this year the best one yet!
Speak soon
Charlie
- November 2017
Hi everyone
I hope you have had a good summer and are enjoying all the delicious autumnal dishes out there right now.
Just a quick reminder that Christmas is nearly here and now is the time to start thinking ahead and getting your Christmas reservations in.
Our food service times over Christmas are as follows
There are some dates that are now not available so call Kelly on 0114 2350101 to make your reservation.
Both myself and Kelly would like to thank you for all of your support in 2017 and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Speak soon
Charlie
- March 2017
Hi everyone
Just a quick reminder that Mothers Day is just around the corner so make sure you make your reservation here at Peppercorn before we fill up. You Mum deserves it!!
Speak soon
Charlie
- May 2016
Well it took its time but summer finally seems to be here. Our brand new outdoor furniture is out on the patio and the sun is shining.
Happy days!
Food wise, our menus definitely have a spring feel to them, perfect for the warm evenings.
If you want to ensure what your cooking with is in season and at its best, let me give you a couple of suggestions.
May is great for asparagus, jersey royal new potatoes, spinach, spring onions and watercress.How about those ingredients for an amazing salad? Fruit wise, rhubarb and bananas are bang in season. Love cooking with fish? Crab, plaice and sea trout are super tasty.
Heading in to June, vegetables such as beetroot, broad beans, radishes and runner beans are all in season. Gooseberries, peaches and strawberries are at their best right now. Who doesn’t love strawberries and cream?
I hope thats helpful.
I best get back to my very warm kitchen!!
Take care,
Charlie
- January 2016
Hello all,
I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year and that you enjoyed some amazing, home-cooked food!!
Heading towards spring, let me give you some pointers and what fruits, vegetables, fish and meats are in season right now so you know you are eating food that is at its absolute best!
Brussel sprouts are not just for Christmas it seems and are still delicious at this time of year, along with leeks, parsnips, purple sprouting broccoli and turnips.
Fruit wise, blood oranges, rhubarb, pomegranate and passion fruit (well its Valentines Day in this month) are bang in season.
If you are a fish lover, try mackerel, scallops. turbot, mussels and oysters (well known to be an aphrodisiac) as they will be super delicious.
On the meat front, venison and guinea fowl.
I hope that helps so get out and eat fresh!!
Take care,
Charlie
- September 2015
Hello again
Can you believe its September already? Where has 2015 gone? I am happy to say that we have had an amazing and very busy summer and we celebrated being open two years at the end of August, which we are really proud of.
If you don’t know, we now offer an Early Bird menu on Friday nights, between 6pm - 7.30pm (orders need to be in by 7.30pm). Its £15 for two courses and £20 for three courses. If you haven’t already taken advantage of this amazing offer, then you definitely should soon.
Also Christmas and New Year are looming. Its never too early to get your celebrations booked so check out our menus!
Hope to see you soon.
Take care,
Charlie
- January 2015
I am pleased to let you know that after a lovely, relaxing week in the sun, we are back and ready for 2015.
I would like to thank everyone that joined us over the Christmas and New Year period. It was great success and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the happy faces!
I am now in the middle of writing a brand new a la carte menu. The creative juices are starting to flow and there are going to be some great dishes on there that I’m hoping you will all enjoy. Watch out for the new menu on here!
We are now taking reservations as usual and we hope you can join us soon.
I will be back soon with some more cookery and ingredients hints and tips soon.
Take care,
Charlie
- May 2014
Its that magical time of the year again! The days are getting longer and people definitely seem happier. And Mother Nature gives us some of my favourite treats like asparagus, fresh peas and the world famous Jersey Royal potatoes.
Take the asparagus, just simply steam for a couple of brief minutes, smother in salted butter and add a little pepper – Perfection!!
And the humble pea – one of the few vegetables perfectly good frozen but nothing can compare to a fresh pea from a pod. You will eat as many then, as make it to the pan!
So make sure you get out and enjoy the good weather.
Charlie
- November 2013
Well winter is well and truly here. Dark by five and the central heating is on. The cold winter evenings are the perfect time to enjoy some of the best food Britain has to offer. Rich, dark stews and braised dishes such as my braised shoulder of lamb dish which is braised for 6-8 hours, stripped down and re-shaped. Its then served with creamy mashed potato and savoy cabbage.
So here are some tips for the perfect slow cooked treats:
1) Cheap is good. The cheaper cuts tend to be the most worked mussels and as such develop the best flavour.
2) Brown your meat and vegetables well (but don't burn). This will give them a deeper flavour and a rich dark colour
3) Bring it to the boil quickly and turn down, then in to the oven or a slow cooker if you have one.
4) Sit back and relax.
Well I better get back to it, but keep checking our site for my latest updates on what is in season right now and how to cook it. Look forward to seeing you soon
Charlie
- September 2013
We painted, sanded, wallpapered and cleaned and finally Peppercorn arrived.
With help from family and friends and a great local decorator, “the porter cabin on a car park Morans “disappeared and sheffield’s newest restaurant Peppercorn was born. Following a great local restaurant is never an easy thing, but the feed back has been great with a mixture of old favourites like the slow braised shoulder of lamb which Kelly and most of her family bullied me into having on the menu.
And new dishes like the crab stuffed lemon sole fillets which you can see in the new 365 tasting menu ebook available from 365cookbook.com at a very reasonable of £6 all of which goes to charity.
And the iced liquorice and blackcurrant dessert which is getting rave reviews.
Well I better get back to it, but keep checking our site for my latest updates on what is in season right now and how to cook it. Look forward to seeing you soon
Charlie