SUPER chef Peter Gorton is busy, busy, busy — and back full time at The Horn of Plenty, his stunning restaurant in the Tamar Valley providing a haven of quiet in contrast with his hectic lifestyle.

But Peter, who has as many strings to his bow as his trademark dotty trousers have spots, is keen to point out that he's never actually been away.

Despite buying the famous Carved Angel restaurant in Dartmouth and continually expanding his business interests, Peter still lives in Yelverton and always made sure he was at the Horn at least several days a week.

Even so, many people assumed he had moved on and away from West Devon.

'My time was divided. We had the Carved Angel at Dartmouth, then we bought Carved Angel brasseries in Dartmouth, Exeter and Taunton. I obviously had to spend a fair amount of time setting them up, but I was still here three or four days a week.

'Everybody thought I was living at the Angel — but I never have done!'

Peter, 37, lives with his wife Kaz and two children Rheanna, aged four, and one-year-old Zachary. He said there was 'no way' he wanted to leave the area permanently.

He has however, travelled to the US and Europe on frequent 'food fact-finding' trips, gathering ideas for new recipes which will make regular appearances in his restaurants and at his popular cookery courses.

Not satisfied with running five successful businesses, designing a range of kitchen units, running demonstrations throughout the country and working in conjunction with a Japanese knife manufacturer, Peter recently started to produce a range of Carved Angel goods.

'Last year we produced 5,000 Christmas puddings to keep up with the demand! Already we've had loads of interest from some big London names,' said Peter, obviously delighted with the venture's success — not just for him, but for his suppliers.

He is negotiating a new radio show, in which he would like to involve those all-important producers who play such a vital role in his businesses.

'I want to help local suppliers, I'd like to get them into the show, hopefully push their produce,' he said.

He is also hatching an idea to produce an annual food festival type of event in Tavistock, which would not only benefit the local economy but charities too.

Although Peter has taken a step back from TV work, he has certainly not turned his back on the small screen. He is now represented by a 'very good' London agent and would like to return to broadcasting at some time.

'TV is fun but you have to be realistic. It's been very good for me and it's helped me a lot, specially the restaurant, but I always say "Don't give up the day job!" he said wryly.

Peter is also planning another programme of his popular day-long cookery courses, run at the Horn.

'I've missed doing them — they're a lot of fun. They're going to have a new look, all the recipes will be new, a lot of them coming from my experiences travelling abroad recently. They're a light-hearted approach to serious cooking and people do learn a lot.'

Peter runs his expanding businesses with his 'mad but brilliant' partner, Paul Roston — but still works to a punishing schedule at The Horn.

Starting at around 10am, he works until after the lunchtime session, anything between 3pm and 5pm. Then it's off for a precious hour or so with the children and Kaz, before going back to Gulworthy for the evening shift, which finishes any time up until midnight.

And although he has a team of people working for him, yes, he is actually cooking — not just directing operations!

He takes just one day off a week, on Sundays.

He would like to create a cookery school — but that is in the future.

For now, Peter is keen to encourage people who might have believed the Horn of Plenty was 'too posh' or 'too expensive' to try the dining experience at the Horn.

'It's frustrating for me — admittedly dinner isn't cheap, but it's not as expensive as you think to eat lunch here. You could easily spend £18.50 at the pub during the day,' he said, describing a mouth-watering three course lunch for just that amount.