Meet the Chef

Damon Dalmedo - Owner Chef

My interest and passion for food was largely influenced by my Spanish grandparents, having spent many of my school summer holidays at my grandparents home in Spain. My grandparents were always preparing and cooking food, I don’t ever remember seeing a cookbook. I do remember the kitchen being full of fresh ingredient, it didn’t matter how people seemed to arrive for dinner there was always plenty of freshly cooked food.

Leaving school I went through college and got the necessary qualifications. I started my career in London where I was involved in the grand opening of Soho Soho working under Tony Howarth, who was formally Head Chef at Le Caprice, Mirabelle and The Ivy.

In 2003 Tony opened Café du Jardin, Covent Garden, Damon joined his team as senior chef de partie. This gave him an excellent grounding in the industry and following a position at Rowhill Grange as Senior Sous Chef, at the young age of 23 Damon and his wife Sarah went on to buy their own restaurant in 1998. In March of that year restaurant 109, in Rainham, Kent was open for business, Sarah sucessfully running Front of House service and Damon in the Kitchen. Following a successful four years, Sarah and Damon sold 109 and went on to purchase The Barn Restaurant and is soon to celebrate 10 successful years of business. Within that time the restaurant has won numerous accolades including yearly Michelin listing since 2009.