CHIKO Mwale has been head chef at The Pit Smokehouse in Culcheth since it opened in September 2015.

His career has seen him previously work in a wide range of venues including Wilmslow Golf Club, Sodexo Catering and at numerous football grounds including Old Trafford.

Below he shares his secrets including how he ended up catering for Bill Clinton.

The essential ingredient in the kitchen is...

Fresh produce, vegetables, meat, everything fresh – I like my food to be as fresh as the shoes on my feet...

The first kitchen I worked in was...

Back when I was 16 my mother ran a catering company in Botswana, I began helping her out as the company grew and this is where I developed my love for food – all home cooked recipes that had been passed down through the family – those aromas are filling my senses as I write this.

My first professional job was...

Again, working for my mother – as her company grew the business catered for US Aid (Agency for International Development) and the US Embassy – we cooked for some high-up people – Bill Clinton is one that first springs to mind...

The first dish I prepared service for was...

Beef wellington, mustard mash, green beans and gravy – at the time I probably thought it was the greatest beef wellington to ever grace a plate. I still think I was probably right!

The signature dish people associate with me...

'Cheeky Chiko's fried chicken. I can’t give Warrington Guardian readers this recipe because one day it might make me famous – call me Colonel Chiko!

My biggest kitchen disaster…

One that springs to mind is a few years back – it was my day off and after a lengthy sauna session I got back to my phone and had several missed calls.

The other chef had walked out and I had to rush to make it to work, I arrived 30 minutes before service and managed to pull it together.

The change in mood from coming out of the sauna to the frantic rush of that kitchen was one I won't forget!

My favourite chefs are...

Can I take this as my Oscars moment and say my mum? You made me the man I am mummy bear!

Other chefs that come to mind are Raymond Blanc, Marcus Wareing, Gordon Ramsey and Myron Mixon – since starting at the Pit I’ve learnt things from him…

Away from the kitchen my favourite meal is…

I love fried chicken. I’m also a big lover of seafood – I just love food.