Although he has travelled and worked as a chef across the world, it’s only been since Stefano La Camera joined St Annes Old Links Golf Club as head chef that he has really been able to showcase his imagination and full repertoire in the kitchen. Based in Lytham St Annes on the Lancashire coast, the St Annes Old Links course was founded in 1901 and was voted in the January 2021 issue of Golf World as one of the “Top 100 Courses in England 2021”.

A haven for local golfers as well as the numerous visitors and golf societies, the course offers a tricky test to players but a wonderful hospitality experience across the bar and restaurant, which is led by Stefano La Camera. Born and raised in Genoa, Italy, Stefano La Camera worked as a head chef for the San Carlo Restaurant Group in Manchester, Riyadh, Dubai and Delhi before moving to Poulton-le-Fylde in 2020. On arriving back in the UK with no job and hospitality venues closed, a chance meeting with the captain of St Annes Old Links Golf Club quite literally changed the direction and his outlook on life.

“I’m absolutely loving my time here. When it comes to a job, I have hit a hole-in-one. It’s a completely different style of cooking to what I had previously experienced. It’s a beautiful place to work, our members and guests are wonderful and for the first time, I have been able to get some balance between my work and personal life and put down some roots.” Says Stefano.

“It’s also a job where I can really be creative with my menus and dishes as I have total control. We cater for a lot of society groups and we have a wide selection of events so I’m able to keep it as seasonal as possible but still run plenty of internationally-themed menus and dishes, whether it’s Greek, Indian, Italian or something else.” 

“This Chicken Curry recipe is a favourite with the society golf guests and is slightly different from the norm due to a few techniques I picked up while working in Asia. It’s spicy, surprisingly packed with veg and the Country Range Tikka Masala Sauce gives it a luscious consistency and finish.”