The Mousetrap Theatre – Introducing Mark Hartstone
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The Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival takes place this year on 10th and 11th September and is one of the town’s biggest annual events. With its humble beginnings in 1999, the Cheese Festival has grown to become the festival we know today. Here at Harts of Sturwe are proud to be sponsoring the Mousetrap theatre. Over the two day festival we have some great cooking demonstrations and fun events for you to enjoy. Leading up to this great event, we will be introducing each of our guest demonstrators that will be appearing on stage at the Mousetrap Theatre.
About Mark
Mark Hartstone aka The Dorset Demo Chef is the well-known owner and award winning Chef at La Fosse Restaurant and B&B in Cranborne, Dorset. La Fosse also sits close to the Wiltshire and Hampshire borders. We spoke to Mark about La Fosse which he runs with his wife Emmanuelle and what he enjoys about the Cheese Festival. 
Tell us a little bit about La Fosse?
La Fosse in Cranborne, Dorset is our award winning Restaurant and B&B with 6 guest bedrooms. We are renowned for our Cheese Board, also we serve great dishes with influences from all around the world. Rather than food miles we regularly talk food yards! Furthermore it is a relaxed and homely destination, in the rural idyllic gastronomic village of Cranborne.
Can you tell us what you enjoy about the Cheese festival?
The Cheese Festival is always friendly, fun and informative. It is also a great opportunity for catching up with many of our suppliers, both dairy and non-dairy related. The crowd in the mousetrap theatre is also always second to none!
What is your favourite Cheese?
This varies, it is usually one I have not savoured for a long time. Currently it is a mixed milk hard cheese from the Pyrenees called Brebis. It's soft velvety flavour reminds me fondly of the time, when as a newly qualified chef I was working in Europe.
What would your ideal job be if you weren't doing what you are now?
I left a career in Petroleum Engineering to become a Chef, now with our establishment for Nye on a decade. I would have to say that I am in it. Squeezing in more family time, travelling and writing, maybe with some extra water sports thrown in, that would be the icing on the ‘cheesecake’?!
When and Where?
You will be able to see Mark on stage at the Mousetrap Theatre on Saturday 10th September at 1pm and again on Sunday 11th at 1pm. Please come along and we hope you enjoy the Cheese Festival.