We spoke with Lee Newton, the founder of the latest fine dining restaurant in Essex: Tom, Dick and Harry’s. We wanted to find out more about the entrepreneur and his interests.
1) NAME鈥�Lee Newton
2) HOME IS鈥� (What area, who you live with, how long you have lived here)
I鈥檓 an Essex boy born and bred, but was brought up working the markets in the East End. I currently live in a farmhouse in Epping with my wife and two grown up children.
3) WORK IS鈥� (what area and what you do; any charity or volunteering)
I run Media 10 in Loughton, a media and events business that employs 250 people, with offices all over the world. We work primarily in the design and architectural industries. We support a number of charities and have donated over 拢1m to various good causes including a number of armed forces鈥� charities. Currently, we are looking to give a young local would-be chef without opportunity and a young local musician the chance to become involved in our latest venture, Tom, Dick & Harry鈥檚 鈥� this our new restaurant below our headquarters on Loughton High Street.
4) FAVOURITE PLACE TO SPEND A RELAXING SUNDAY鈥� (park, restaurant, pub, theatre, cinema, health club, gym etc)
First choice by the sea as I find it is the best place to unwind. Whether it鈥檚 an al fresco fish lunch on the Cote D鈥橝zur, a Spanish beachside chiringuito or good old fish and chips in the UK, that鈥檚 where I head come summer. In the winter, it鈥檚 got to be a proper Sunday roast with all the trimmings. Either way Sundays are about long leisurely lunches with friends and family, great quality food and good wines.
5) FAVOURITE PLACE FOR A SPECIAL MEAL… (where, why? 鈥� could be cheap, could be expensive, maybe you鈥檝e got a few favourites. Favourite dish?)
Too many places to mention for a whole host of different occasions and reasons. However, I鈥檝e got to say it鈥檚 now Tom, Dick and Harry鈥檚. It鈥檚 a place that features all the things I love most about going out for a meal and I鈥檝e been involved in every element, so it couldn鈥檛 be more special and close to my heart.
6) FAVOURITE PLACE FOR BRUNCH WITH FRIENDS鈥μ�(where, why?)
Brunch has always been enjoyed at home with family over the weekend but anywhere as long as it鈥檚 with friends!听
7) FAVOURITE PLACE FOR SOME RETAIL THERAPY鈥� (where, why? favourite local shops)
For a proper weekend of retail therapy, it鈥檚 the boutiques of Bond Street and Selfridges combined with an overnight stay in a West End hotel. I also love food markets, from fresh food to street food ones, but Borough is a particular favourite.
8) FAVOURITE SPOT WHEN I鈥橫 FEELING ENERGETIC 鈥� (where, why? eg. a gym, a yoga class, favourite walk or cycle ride)
I love sailing and Cowes is where I like to be. I鈥檇 love to win the Regatta (again!).
9) FAVOURITE ROMANTIC SPOT鈥� (where, why? eg. local cosy restaurant, scenic walk, spa, boutique hotel)
I鈥檓 not a particularly romantic person but if pushed, it would be quality time at home with my wife.
10) FAVOURITE LOCAL DISCOVERY鈥� (could be a place, a view, a festival – ideally a hidden gem.)
Fishing for crayfish in the channel in Hertford, then cooking and eating them.
11) FAVOURITE PLACE TO SOAK UP SOME CULTURE鈥�
(cinema, museum, heritage centre, national trust, arts centre, theatre etc)
Doing what I do, design is a real passion so I tend to visit lots of design exhibitions and events. Clerkenwell Design Week is a real favourite and I try and visit every year 鈥� nothing beats checking out the multitude of design showrooms and the various exhibitions, finishing off with a beer in one of the local pubs.
12) FAVOURITE SPOT FOR A FAMILY DAY OUT鈥� (where, why? eg. farm, theme park, museum, leisure centre, family-friendly restaurant)
That鈥檚 easy, anywhere there鈥檚 water, boats, good food and the lightest of ros茅 wines.
Lee Newton is the owner of , 153 High Road, Loughton IG10 4LF –听
