An Interview with The Coal Shed’s Laura Petersen
Published on 25th September 2017
In the days leading up to the launch of London Bridge’s latest culinary addition, The Coal Shed, we speak to Head Pastry Chef, Laura Petersen. Laura discovered her talent as a pastry commis at The Ginger Pig in Hove, where she moved up the ranks before eventually becoming part of the opening team for The Coal Shed’s sister restaurant, The Salt Room in Brighton in 2015. It was there she was promoted to Head Pastry Chef. The biggest move in her career is yet to come – as she moves to London to head up a team of five, creating and making all the home made bread and desserts for the new restaurant. If you could sum up The Coal Shed experience in three words, what would they be? Meat, Fish, Fire. What preparations are you taking for the move to One Tower Bridge? Personally, moving to London from Brighton for the first time means flat hunting and exploring the area. Developing the menu and coming up with new desserts is great fun. We are also recruiting for a new team so lots of interviews! Describe your typical day at the restaurant… Busy! I’m the first in in the morning to bake the bread and this is when I have my first coffee of the morning before everyone else comes in. Then we get all the big jobs for the day done such as making our famous pebbles, which are chocolate truffles shaped like pebbles. In London this will become chocolate coal covered in charcoal. Then briefing the team for service. I am always working on menu development and creating during the day and testing my ideas. If you had to recommend just one dish from the menu, what would it be? I love the selection of sweet which is our take on petit fours, we are showcasing some of the favourite from our Brighton menus to London. Perfect little bites to enjoy with your after dinner cocktail or coffee. Finally, what treats can we expect from the dessert section? We have our take on classic desserts and my playful take on childhood favourites such as the ‘chocolate bar’ which chocolate lovers will adore! I like taking classics and giving my own twist to them- look out for the new custard tart, with pumpkin and nutmeg. Named as one of the best places to eat in the UK by the Observer Food Monthly Awards, The Coal Shed’s philosophy is a celebration of meat, fish and fire. The menu will focus around the finest, locally sourced ingredients, including a range of 35-day, dry-aged Scottish steaks from the North Highlands cooked on hot coals, plus fish fresh from the South coast. One Tower Bridge, 4 Crown Square, London, SE1 2SE Open daily 12-10pm. Bookings taken from 16th October 2017 www.coalshed-restaurantlondon.co.uk info@coalshed-restaurantlondon.co.uk
