Sean Riley's love of cooking took him to the picturesque Channel Island of Guernsey.

"I loved it. It is such a nice place - so beautiful, and quiet and peaceful," he says. He joined the staff at a hotel in the popular tourist town of St Martin. "That was where my career took off. I got the chance to work with a superb chef, Kelvin Clark, who taught me a lot. He was very patient and very calm, and went through everything carefully."

Kelvin's way of working rubbed off on Sean, now head chef at the George and Dragon in Apperley Bridge. "I have definitely inherited my mannerisms from him. I am very calm in the kitchen, even when we are under a lot of pressure. And I have a good relationship with the other chefs - there is a good atmosphere. We have a laugh and don't get stressed."

He adds: "I'm nothing like Gordon Ramsay."

Newly refurbished, the large family pub in Apperley Road, with a state-of-the-art children's entertainment centre and outside play area, has a traditional yet contemporary feel which is also reflected in the menu.

Old favourites including British steak and ale pie and Cumberland bangers and mash sit alongside European fare - Mediterranean tagilatelle, Italian chicken, and, as a starter, Greek feta and cous cous salad. Ever-popular desserts include Bramley apple pie and chocolate fudge cake.

Before heading to Guernsey, the former pupil at Hanson Upper School trained in catering and hospitality at Bradford College, and was lucky enough to find work experience at the upmarket Malmaison hotel in Leeds.

"I wanted to work in catering because I've always had an interest in food - it dates back to when I was about eleven and my mum let me use the cooker for the first time."

Sean, 25, would have worked away from his home city for longer, but he missed his family. "My grandparents became ill, and I wanted to spend more time with them," he says. "They looked after me a lot when I was growing up. That was why I left Guernsey." His grandma, Mary, may have had a hand in Sean's passion for all things culinary. "She was a really good cook - her stew and dumplings were delicious."

With a background in catering, his mum, Julie, also played a part in stirring his interest. "She used to run a sandwich shop in Idle," says Sean, who lives in Wrose with his girlfriend Emma and two-year-old son Mason.

He loves being a dad. "It is one of the best things. I was there when he was born and will be there for him for the rest of his life."

On days off, the family visit the park or go swimming. They generally eat out. "I'm at work all week in the kitchen so although I love cooking, eating out is a break for me. We usually go to an Italian restaurant, we like Mamma Mia's in Bradford city centre."

Sean is happy at the George and Dragon, which now has zoned areas, decorated to suit different moods. "It is a challenge, we are always so busy, but that's the way I like it."

Regular customers serve to boost his confidence. "It is nice to see people coming back again, and again."

Ultimately, he would like to run his own restaurant. "It would be a fine dining, seafood restaurant, I'm not sure where, possibly just up the road in Guiseley."

  • The George and Dragon. Apperley Road, Apperley Bridge. Tel: 01274 612015.