Ten Years, Ten Days, Ten Courses, Ten Pounds To Charity

Dorset's Michelin starred Chef prepares to celebrate 10 years of his Sienna Restaurant in Dorchester.

Chef Russell Brown is celebrating 10 years of the restaurant he runs in Dorchester with his wife Elena.

Sienna, in High West Street, was opened in 2003 and has since picked up a string of awards, including Dorset's first Michelin star in 20 years.

To commemorate its tenth year in Dorchester, Sienna is to host a 10 day event involving a specially selected 10 course menu (below) - with each menu worth 10 pounds to the charity Hospitality Action.

Sponsors of the event - which begins on 18th April and is available for dinner Tue to Sat - include Bollinger Champagne, Blackacre Farm Eggs, Westwood House, Richard Budd Photography, Dorset Wines and Villeroy & Boch.

Chef Russell said:

"In many ways it's hard to believe that we have been open at Sienna for ten years; how time flies!  So much has changed and the business has grown considerably. Over the years we have had an incredible amount of support from our staff, customers and suppliers; we have made good friends and have learnt a huge amount.

A 10 course tasting menu seems the perfect way to celebrate our achievements, share the occasion with our customers, friends and suppliers as well as raising funds for Hospitality Action."

The cost is £75 per person with £10 going to Hospitality Action.

For more information go to www.SiennaRestaurant.co.uk and to book places please ring Sienna on 01305-250022

TEN YEARS, TEN COURSES ANNIVERSARY MENU

Prawns with avocado and saffron

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New potato soup, wild garlic pesto

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Ham hock terrine with watercress and Pommery mustard

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Wild mushroom salad, slow cooked Blackacre egg yolk, truffle dressing

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Parmesan and ricotta tortelloni with English asparagus

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Roast fillet of brill with spring onion mash, herb butter sauce

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Loin of Dorset lamb, shepherds pie, carrot and peas

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Keen's cheddar rarebit with spiced cider apple jelly

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Chocolate shot

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Apricot and almond tart with clotted cream ice cream

Chef Russell Brown Biography:

DORSET'S ONLY MICHELIN STARRED CHEF CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF HIS SIENNA RESTAURANT

As Chef Russell Brown celebrates ten years at his Sienna Restaurant in Dorchester, he remains the only Michelin starred chef in the County of Dorset. His star was first awarded in 2010 - the only Michelin star in Dorset for twenty years.  Sienna is also the smallest starred restaurant in the Michelin Guide, with just 15 covers.

Just months after opening Sienna, Russell had earned 2 AA Rosettes and in 2007 he won 3 AA Rosettes.  He was made a Fellow of the Masterchefs of Great Britain in 2008. Chef Russell retained both his Michelin Star and his 3 AA Rosettes in both 2011 and 2012.

Russell Brown found his vocation at the ripe old age of 27. His first full-time cooking job was as a commis chef at the Alverton Manor Hotel in Truro. There he worked under Head Chef Colin Gilbert and was soon chef de partie on the sauce section.

"This is a great industry but you do need real passion to succeed and I think enjoying the actual craft of what we do is vital. I try to teach chefs how every little job has an effect on the final plate of food, whether that's picking the spinach or scrubbing mussels."

Russell's first Head Chef job was in Dorset, at the Yalbury Cottage Hotel near Dorchester where he was awarded 2 AA Rosettes. Russell then moved to the Horn of Plenty in Devon, working for Peter Gorton.

In April 2003, Russell and his wife Elena opened their own restaurant, Sienna, back in Dorset.

Russell's food takes its lead from the seasons, utilising the best produce available, much of it from the South West region. Concise menus and great attention to detail, from the canapés and breads right through to the petit fours, are the hallmarks of his cooking. A three choice lunch menu, five choice dinner menu and a seven course tasting menu make up the offer.

Passion: Seasonal produce and the pastry section.

Inspiration: La Tante Claire by Pierre Koffmann.

Greatest achievement to date: Awarded first Michelin Star in Dorset for 20 years in 2010 and retained ever since.

More videos and information about Russell at www.ChefRussellBrown.co.uk

Twitter @SiennaDorset