Meet the head chef at The Lapstone pub in Horton Heath

Erasmo Ansano, Head Chef at The Lapstone on Botley Road, Horton Heath, talks about his love for fresh produce and journey to becoming a chef in this week's Meet the Chef column. 

Having previously run a restaurant called Piccolo Roma for ten years, Erasmo had a change of scene when he moved to the new-look village pub three years ago.

Since then he's been cooking a range of tasty dishes from a full English breakfast to lasagne, roasts, burgers, steaks and classic fish and chips. 

(Image: Russ Kitching)

He said he was first inspired to become a chef because of his "passion for good food" which developed after he served up his first-ever meal to someone else, a pasta carbonara. 

Now a head chef, he says there's nothing better than "every time a customer compliments our food or takes the time to thank us". 

Erasmo Ansano, Head Chef at The Lapstone on Botley Road, Horton Heath (Image: Russ Kitching)

A fan of locally sourced produce, Erasmo keeps his fridge stocked with a range of fresh foods to make dishes including his favourite seafood pasta dishes.

Speaking about his favourite ingredients, he said: "There are a few but good quality olive oil, fresh herbs, fresh vegetables and fruits are key."

(Image: Russ Kitching)

Asked about his future ambition, he said "to keep making new dishes and try new flavours", adding that the next big restaurant trend will be "sizzling platters".

Erasmo's self-proclaimed signature dish is a lasagna but said his favourite meal to cook at home is a Bolognese, best served with "a good red wine".

He added that his culinary guilty pleasure is a tiramisu, the chef he most admires is the Italian restauranteur Massimo Botture and if he could pick from anywhere to eat in Hampshire, it would be The Lapstone.

The Horton Heath pub welcomed Saints stalwart, Matt Le Tissier in April 2022 as it officially opened its doors following a £1 million refurbishment project by owner, Russ Kitching.