Staff Spotlight - Clive Lamb
This month we caught up with Clive, our Chef Lecturer from the Food Studies and Hospitality department. His students describe him as a knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic and helpful lecturer. Clive has a real passion for cooking, and is always encouraging his students to do their best. Let’s get to know him a little bit better 😊
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Clive Lamb. I am originally from Aberdeen. and now live in Scone. I started work as a Chef in 1981, and have worked mainly in four and five-star hotels.
What is your role(s) at Perth College UHI?
I have been a Chef Lecturer at Perth College UHI for 13 years now. I teach a broad range of learners, from school pupils to HND students. If you’re lucky enough to book a table in our Gallery Training Restaurant, I will be the lecturer inspiring the students to produce the amazing dishes you’ll be tasting. I love the buzz of running the kitchen for the Gallery Training Restaurant, and watching the students develop their skills.
What’s the best part of your job?
I enjoy eating out and socialising. Whenever I am out for dinner, there’s hardly a time that I don’t see some of my students working in all the local restaurants. It’s nice to see them established in their careers. I’ve rarely been given discount though!
What is the most frequent question you get asked?
Do you cook at home?
What might people be surprised to know about you?
I have a full motorcycle licence, and own a retro Triumph Bonneville 900cc. Boring answer Try again, Clive!! How about…I cooked dinner for Michael Jackson? Chicken soup. It was when I worked at Cameron House Loch Lomond. He called directly down to the kitchen - I thought it was a wind up at first.
Do you have any interesting hobbies?
I enjoy working with wood. I have a wood lathe (which will be a retirement project). I have built a summer house; log store; a planter out of old railway sleepers; and fenced and gated my entire garden.
What was your first car?
I bought my first car when I was 17. It was a Hillman Avenger, and it was a truly awful car. The engine sounded like it was trying to mix cement. I’m sure the wheels were stolen off a unicycle. When you wanted to reverse it, you had to switch on the reversing light. It ended up parked around a tree.
Salt or pepper?
Freshly ground black pepper
Favourite ingredients?
Tatties and onions.
Most hated ingredient?
Okra…. What’s the point of even growing the stuff? Hairy, slimy and tasteless.
Favourite kitchen gadget?
I have lots of gadgets. However, the one I use most at home is my super sharp Japanese Mandolin. (Watch your fingers)
Favourite go-to recipe if you're in a hurry?
Fried Rice.
Favourite holiday destination, and why?
Without name-dropping: Macho Pichu, The Great Wall of China, and Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa, were magnificent places to visit. However, the most intriguing place I have been to, was Iceland. My wife and I went there with our grown-up kids in October - which is the best time to see the Aurora Borealis. We marvelled at the light spectacle, while driving a short commute from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik. So, mesmerising was the show, that I completely forgot that I should be driving on the other side of the road. Luckily it was quiet, we survived and had purchased some Icelandic gin at the duty free.
Favourite TV shows and films?
Gogglebox, Master Chef: The Professionals and Back to the Future 1,2 and 3.
Happiest memory?
Camping holiday with my mum and dad.
Most embarrassing moment?
Probably trying to play golf. When I was Head Chef at Murrayshall House Hotel, we launched the new Lynedoch Golf Course. I was in a four ball (golfy term) with three other managers ready to tee off on the brand-new course. With the owner, Directors, Managers and staff - all eagerly anticipating my tee shot - I topped the ball sending it 4 feet in front of me. How embarrassing, I could have hit it further with a cotton bud. I hate golf!!
What else were you doing the strange year of 2020, to keep busy?
I made some cookery videos, with easy things you can make at home. Sometimes I don’t take myself too serious in them though. The best ones were the Fakeaway videos which I did with my colleagues.
