"There’s a new chef in town and he’s pretty blimin good. I’d seen Raj AKA @scratchcooksocial hold a few pop-ups at @desa_cafe in Leamington and was lucky enough to be invited as his guest to the latest: ‘Lucky 7’ - a seven-course extravaganza of his own Indian fine dining creations. He uses spice, barbecue, layers of flavour, textures and all the hallmarks of great, refined, precise fine dining food. Some great creations in there, from the open-fired scallops sat on a thick daal to the puri mouth bomb - a play on pani puri and packed with flavour- and a dessert of shrikhand infused with cardamom and Landon and topped with grilled pineapple was a delight.

I’ve always been a champion of independents and people chasing their culinary dreams but I’m not anti chain. However, my gripe with them is the lack of care, pride and passion from their kitchens. This is the polar opposite - Raj’s joy from cooking for others, exacting standards and passion is clear to see. The support he had from his family who served us each and every course with care is clear to see. The menus were beautiful, the room dressed nicely, the cocktails carefully created. Raj will be the first to say he’s constantly honing his skills - but for someone who has jumped out of a corporate career into the kitchen, he’s doing a pretty marvellous job, not just with the food but in the way he created an experience to remember. Look forward to seeing where he takes this next."