Head chef and co-owner Jo Merrick celebrates her first year at The Bell Inn, and also three successful months of business since taking over in September with partner Charlie. Voice caught up with the highly-talented chef in her ever busy kitchen to have a chat, here’s what she had to say:

V:Why did you decide to become a chef?
J: After spending many years working front of house in the hospitality business, one particular evening I gave a hand in the kitchen and was instantly hooked. I then went to college to study how to become a chef.

V:What’s your favourite thing to cook at home?
J: It has to be lasagne – making the layers is very therapeutic!

V:What’s the one thing in your kitchen that you can’t live without?
J: I’m used to cooking with minimal items, so the one thing I couldn’t live without has to be my cooker.

V:What do you love most about cooking at The Bell?
J: The freedom, which gives me a fantastic opportunity to create new dishes using great local produce. Plus being the owner as well as the head chef, I get the chance to have one-to-one feedback with our wonderful customers.

V: If there’s one famous person you could cook for, who would it be?
J: I’m a big Aliens fan, so it would have to be Sigourney Weaver.

V:What music do you listen to when cooking?
J: Radio 2 all day every day, pop master in the morning, then I listen to them argue in the afternoon – brilliant!

V:Who or what inspires your dishes when creating a new menu?
J: I know this is going to sound a bit soppy, but Charlie, I’m interested in what she loves to eat!

V:What’s new on the menu?
J: Slow roasted belly pork is an amazing new dish, which I will cook for you to photograph, and also ‘Jacob’s Ladder’, which is flat beef rib.

V:What would you recommend for someone to try who has never visited bell before?
J: Definitely the belly pork, and my banana cake for dessert with homemade ice cream.

V: And what drink would you choose to accompany it?
J: If you’re an ale lover, then a pint of Sharp’s Atlantic at £3.35, and if you prefer wine, a 175ml glass of Andean’s Malbec at £4.75.

V: Are there any spaces left for Christmas Day
J: Christmas Day is fully booked, but there are still plenty of spaces left for your Christmas party.

V:What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?
J:We will be serving a special set menu followed by a disco into 2017.

V: Finally, why should people visit the Bell this festive season?
J: For a great night out in a fantastic atmosphere where you can enjoy high quality meals at a very affordable price – we’ve had a lot of the locals and regulars come back, which has just been amazing, and we have a special party on December 14 just for them. Charlie and I look forward to welcoming you very soon!

Don’t forget to book your Christmas party at The Bell Inn this year – the festive menu is available for bookings priced at £25 for threecourses, served in the evenings only.

The festive menu is served all throughout December until the 23rd.
The Bell Inn is located on Bulmore Road, Caerleon NP18 1QQ. To make a table reservation call 01633 420613.