Hanging up his ladle for the final time is hard working chef Cesareo Argiz-Ledo who is retiring after an impressive 34 years at East Surrey Hospital.
But the 63 year old, who is better known as Fred to all of his colleagues, said he won’t be spending more time in the kitchen of his Redhill home as “my wife won’t let me in there.”
Fred started off as a kitchen porter in 1985 and was encouraged by his bosses to head off to catering college. He was rapidly promoted, becoming Lead Head Chef in 1990, and said he’s seen a lot of changes in his three decades at the stove. “Food is much more health conscious now and much more interesting. But my favourite meal has to be a good chicken pie.”
The father of two said he will really miss the great team he has worked with at Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, but is looking forward to putting his feet up and taking a long holiday.