Off the Menu: Sean Da Silva, Head Chef at Central Kitchen 10 July 2025

This month at The Grove, we caught up with Sean Da Silva, Head Chef at Central Kitchen, to chat comfort food, cookie making and the fridge essential he can’t live without. From nostalgic snacks to his daughter’s baking projects, Sean’s weekly essentials offer a heart-warming peek into the life of a chef whose creativity starts at home.

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What are your weekly essentials?

Top 5 Fridge essentials

The staples in my fridge would be salted butter, Greek yoghurt, hummus and milk. However the top spot for me would have to be hot sauce. I love it and currently have 2 different types of Tabasco as well as Ed Sheeran’s tangy hot sauce, garlic sriracha, and cholula chipotle hot sauce.

Top 5 snacks

My favourite “healthier” snack at the moment is multi-seeded crackers with hummus or some fresh tropical fruit like mango or pineapple. If I’m watching a movie or fancy more of a treat it would be Doritos with fresh salsa and cheese dip. My favourite sweets which bring back lots of childhood memories from growing up in Hong Kong are Hi-chews or Meiji chocolate gummies.

What are your go-to Fruit and Vegetables?

Garlic and onions are a staple in my house, they are the base ingredients to pretty much every dish I cook. Bananas, strawberries and blueberries are always on the shopping list but never last long. No matter how many we buy, it’s never enough.

What is your favourite recipe that you’ve cooked recently?

I have recently started making a cookbook with my daughter which features a lot of baked goods (her choices!). We made some lemon and white chocolate cookies last weekend which were amazing – they were huge and a bit on the sweet side but so moreish.

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What is your favourite restaurant at The Grove?

It would have to be The Stables. The food is tasty, the staff are great and I like the feel of the restaurant – the right amount of busy to create a good atmosphere but quiet enough to have a conversation and relax.

What is your favourite restaurant outside The Grove?

We recently tried Boot Cantina in St Albans and loved it. It’s a small Mexican restaurant in an old pub. The menu is mainly just tacos and a few sides but every dish is delicious and leaves you wanting more.

If you had to choose just one dish to cook for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

It’s a mixture depending on my mood. I do have a sweet tooth and love a “Pudding stop” trip with my kids. It’s our local bakery owned by a previous Great British bake-off contestant – they do the best egg tarts, cinammon buns, doughnuts and lemon meringue pie. However I would normally lean into savoury comfort food that reminds me of home – something like soup noodles with all the toppings, fried Beef Ho Fun or Chinese spicy eggplant with minced pork.

Want to try Sean’s favourite restaurant?

Explore our luxury hotel and countryside retreat just outside London.

The Stables

Join us next month and find out what our next chef’s must-go to restaurant at The Grove is.

FAQ’S

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Off the Menu The Grove chefs Our restaurants Luxury hotel stays

FAQ’S

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Off the Menu

What is Off the Menu at The Grove?

Off the Menu is our monthly chef spotlight series, where we sit down with one of The Grove’s culinary talents to explore their foodie favourites, behind-the-scenes inspiration, and life beyond the kitchen. It’s an insider look at the people behind our award-winning hotel restaurants.

The Grove chefs

Who is Head Chef of Central Production Kitchen at The Grove?

Sean Da silva, Head Chef of Central Production Kitchen is the creative force behind the scenes, championing bold flavours, precision planning, and the seamless delivery of exceptional dishes across The Grove.

Our restaurants

Are The Grove’s restaurants open to non-hotel guests?

Guests and visitors alike can enjoy the restaurants at The Grove, including The Glasshouse, The Stables, and The Lounges. From sushi and seasonal specials to fine wines and family-friendly menus, there’s something for every palate.

What type of cuisine is served at The Stables?

At The Stables, our menu champions seasonal ingredients and wholesome dishes designed to fuel your day. Whether you’re fresh from the spa or post-workout, expect colourful salads, vibrant dishes, and plenty of plant-based options, all served in a relaxed setting.

Luxury hotel stays

Is The Grove a luxury hotel near London with fine dining?

Absolutely. Located in Hertfordshire, just outside London, The Grove offers a luxury countryside escape with championship golf, an award-winning spa, and a variety of exceptional dining experiences.