J’AIME DECEMBER 2021

F O O D & D R I N K
Delicious - and then some
IN AN UNASSUMING CABIN IN THE DEPTHS OF A LOCAL GARDEN CENTRE
LIES ONE OF LICHFIELD’S MOST EXCITING BESPOKE DINING EXPERIENCES,
DUBBERLEY DELICIOUS, AS AMY NORBURY DISCOVERS
Some of the best inventions in life have come about
by happy accident. A melted chocolate bar brought
about that household staple, the microwave, while a
bit of experimentation with syrup and carbonated
water led to the world’s most popular fizzy drink,
Coca-Cola. And it was while playing around with
ideas for using up a glut of foraged wild garlic that
Lichfield chef Jack Dubberley hit upon one of the
most moreish snacks I’ve ever had the pleasure of
enjoying; wild garlic popcorn.
The aforementioned tasty treat was the first
introduction we had to Jack’s impressive culinary
style at Dubberley Delicious, a bespoke chef ’s table
experience based in a cabin at Lichfield garden
centre The Plant Plot.
Yes, you heard that right, a garden centre. But don’t
let the somewhat unusual surroundings fool you. One
you step inside the Dubberley Delicious cabin, the
stylish and cosy setting certainly lives up to its fine
dining billing.
Dubberley Delicious is a completely different kind
of dining for Lichfield. With a single table seating up
to just ten guests facing the open kitchen where chef
Jack works his magic in front of your eyes, this is a
chef ’s table experience - just without the rest of the
restaurant.
And the difference doesn’t end there. The menu
is tailored to each party, meaning you can enjoy
something truly bespoke. You can choose to approve
the menu beforehand or, like us, be greeted with a
surprise of Jack’s making. Hell, you can even choose
the accompanying playlist; the evening really is
yours.
Jack’s passion for food, particularly seasonal and
local ingredients - and foraged where possible - runs
through the Dubberley Delicious ethos. Starting his
professional career in the kitchen at Swinfen Hall,
Jack was then a driving force behind the launch of
Larder, helping the Lichfield restaurant earn two AA
Rosettes before heading back to Swinfen to help the
team regain their three AA Rosettes. And anyone
who has dined at either of those two venues will
recognise some of Jack’s delicious signatures.
It was at the height of the pandemic last year that
Jack decided to strike out on his own, creating
delicious deli goodies and dine-at-home feasts, then
offering outside barbeque dining before finally
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