Mark Hartstone is chef proprietor of La Fosse at Cranborne a Restaurant with rooms just north east of Bournemouth. Mark trained as a chef at Bournemouth College followed by several years working in the kitchens of Europe’s top chefs.La Fosse at Cranborne is run by Mark and his wife Emmanuelle specialising in traditional English cuisine with a few international influences. High quality, seasonal and free-range ingredients are sourced for the menu from over 20 small-scale producers in and around Dorset. La Fosse is a quiet retreat with home from home qualities on the edge of Cranborne Chase and the New Forest.
Marks journey to live his dreams as a restaurateur started on 1st January 2000 when he realised he wanted to leave his previous career as petroleum engineer behind and to train as a chef; from rock strata to rock cakes! 6 months working on the Greek islands and in galleys of various tall ships preceded his diploma at Bournemouth College whilst working at the Royal Bath Hotels’ Oscars, Café Promenade and the Garden Restaurant.
The Pyrenees then beckoned for Mark where he worked, slept and ate 24/7 at the now 2 Michelin star restaurant, Chez Ruffet. It proved to be a great introduction to modern, fine French Cuisine and a stepping-stone to the Chewton Glen, 5 red star, and Country House hotel, frequently voted as one of the worlds leading hotels. During these years Mark worked under the renowned chefs Pierre Chevillard, Alan Murchison and Luke Mathews.
Following the Chewton, Mark was Sous chef, again with Pierre Chevillard at the award winning Pebble Beach restaurant overlooking the needles, in Hampshire. His thirst for culinary experiences has also led Mark to stages in Raymond Blanc’s, the Manoir aux Quatre Saisons and Murchison’s Michelin starred L'Ortolan.
Since 2000 Mark has been finalist in 4 national competitions, winning gold in 1 regional competition and also winning the prestigious Seafood Recipe Challenge; the foremost competition for fish cookery in the country. His prize was a gastronomic tour of Norway where he had the chance to work in one of the Artic circles top restaurants Fiskekompaniet Restaurant.
La Fosse has been awarded an AA rosette and was one of the two runners up restaurants to the Dorset Restaurant of the year 2008 award.
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