WHEN Simon Safe applied to an advert in the Somerset Gazette, he knew the job was right up his street.

The chef from Taunton was used to all sorts of catering from pub grub to fine dining so providing light teas to a group of cricket fans was ideal.

But just a few months into his new role at Somerset County Cricket Club, he was suddenly given a new task.

With sports catering changing and clients becoming more sophisticated, Simon was asked if he could start producing three course lunches for up to 150 hungry cricket fans.

You could say it was a bit of a googly.

“It was certainly a challenge but one I was keen to take on,” smiles Simon.

“To go from light teas to full blown lunches was not something I was used to. However, I like a challenge so I quickly got to work on menus.

“I’m delighted to say the response from customers was amazing. People were able to come to the ground, meet their friends or business colleagues, watch cricket and enjoy a first class lunch. It’s something we take for granted today, but back then, it was totally new.”

Now the Executive Chef at the county ground, Simon has been given – and overcome - numerous challenges in the past two decades including keeping up with the constantly developing science behind players’ meals so that they can deliver an optimum performance on the pitch. In addition, Simon and his six chefs provide a huge variety of dishes all year round for supporters and visitors, from four-course fine dining at an evening banquet to high quality fast food on a match day.

“All the food outlets around the stadium on a match day are our own so it’s my job to ensure they always provide the best quality food at an affordable price.

While many chefs only have to contend with looking after one kitchen, Simon oversees a total of five. Even more remarkable is the fact that all the kitchens at the ground have a 5 Star health rating.

“Match days are very busy for us,” explains Simon.

“But we are equally busy throughout the year with our Christmas Party Nights or Sunday carvery for example. The ground is a popular venue for conferences of all types which can mean anything from 50 to 250 people requiring catering.

“I like to move around the ground, checking all aspects of the service and food we are providing, whether it’s coffee and cake in the new Stragglers Coffee House or a large conference.”

Simon also oversees the choice and delivery of all the produce used at the club: “We keep very little frozen food. I much prefer fresh items. I choose the suppliers who are all local so food miles are not an issue.”

In his time at the county ground, Simon and his team have also been on standby to service some of the world’s biggest names in music including Rod Stewart and Sir Elton John who have both performed concerts at Somerset.

After two decades, you could say Simon has kept his place at the catering crease.