Holiday Facilitators: Carl Smith

Carl is an award-winning hotelier, restaurateur and chef (although he prefers the word cook). After graduating in hospitality management from Bournemouth Uni  way back in the 70’s Carl embarked on a career as a chef working in Paris and Switzerland indulging in his love of food and travel, but it was as General Manager of the iconic Guinea Grill in Mayfair that Carl developed many of his recipes including his famous steak pie that was awarded National champion winner no less than 3 times. 

In recent years Carl has travelled far and wide exploring the food cultures of Spain, Italy, India, France and of course Greece! (Carl spent his teenage years in Cyprus).  He’s also been a judge at the Great Taste Awards for over 20 years and on occasion at the World Cheese Awards.

Based in Poole Carl now runs a variety of cooking classes (Piemastergeneral.com) where guests enjoy a ‘hands on’ cooking experience culminating in a 5-course meal with matching wines including a “Taste of Greece”.

What people say about Carl and his courses:

What an amazing course. The food was sensational, the tuition fantastic and the conversation so wonderful.

We’re all still buzzing from our time spent with you. It was an amazing session. Thank you. 

I had a great time. You’re a wonderful host, a talented cook and a patient teacher. 

Amazing food and company.  We’ll be trying these dishes at home.

I can thoroughly recommend this experience. We’ll be back for another course.