Franco’s Terrace
Durham School Martin GeorGe Good Food Bar & resTauranT
I Didn’t Get Where I Am Today
Former pupil Martin George has recently become the headmaster of the
prestigious Durham School.
H
ow does it feel to have returned to your
old school as headmaster?
When I heard about the opening, I knew
straightway that it was a job I would apply for. My
predecessor, Mr Kern, was retiring and the idea of
returning to my old school, which meant so much
to me as a boy, was irresistible.
I have come, it seems, full circle. It would
certainly be true to say that I didn’t get where I am
today without Durham School - and in particular
without my old history teacher Mr Norman
MacLeod.
I was a pupil at Durham school from 1975 to
1980. At school I joined the Naval Section of the
Combined Cadet Force, largely because of the
influence of Norman. He was a legendary figure
at Durham School and still is, although sadly,
he passed away a couple of years ago. It was his
inspiration that led me later to look at the armed
forces as a possible career, something I might not
have thought of without Norman.
I did however, and was awarded an Army
scholarship which helped me through Manchester
University, where I studied politics and history.
Martin George
Did you ever regret your decision to have a
career in the armed forces?
Not for one moment did I regret my decision, because
don’t think I would have been the same person, or the
beyond being a classroom teacher and move into
when I left the Army ten years later, I’d had a fantastic
same teacher.
management and leadership of some description and
time. Joining in 1984, I spent ten years in the infantry
During my last year or so in the Army, I was
whilst there, I was delighted to be promoted to Head
A Hidden Gem
and was fortunate to serve all over the world;
beginning to think about doing something different.
of Year and Director of Studies, which meant I was in
Germany, Cyprus, Africa, Central America, the Far East,
I’d recently got married and it was natural for us to
charge of the academic side of the school.
Franco’s Terrace Bar and Restaurant serves the finest Italian cuisine in a continental setting.
the South Atlantic and Northern Ireland. I had been
think carefully about the future and the direction
Franco’s is a contemporary
through some wonderful experiences and learned a
we wanted to go with our lives. I talked it over with
What appealed to you about the job at King’s
WoRds: MoIRa dInnIng
variety of new, invaluable skills.
friends and fellow officers and one of them asked me
School in Tynemouth?
urban retreat, where guests
These ten years in the army were the most
if I had considered going into teaching. Until then,
A few years into my career an opportunity came up
formative of my life. I think the skills you learn in
teaching had never occurred to me, but this made
to move to a deputy headship at the King’s School in
such a job are absolutely priceless. In particular, the
me think back to Norman MacLeod, who had taught
Tynemouth. Originating from the North East, I knew
L
ocated among the hustle and bustle of Jesmond, of enjoying a beverage in the bar area, with comfy,
where The Ivy House used to be, Franco’s is the inviting sofas, or at our table, while we perused the
can enjoy the legendary
latest venture from Franco and Judith Graziani, menu.
ability to make decisions, to communicate, to get on
me, amongst many other things, to love history.
that a job in the region would suit me. I explained to
The menu offers a fine selection of pasta, pizza
hospitality from the in-
the highly regarded duo behind the much-loved
with people, the importance of a sense of humour,
Then I started to think it would be great to be doing
my family that once you spend some time in the North
former La Famiglia and Paris Texas. (freshly cooked to order every time), meat and
house team
of doing things properly and of being flexible. In that
a job where I was using my knowledge and teaching
East, you won’t want to move away, and I was right. I
The beauty of Franco’s shines through the moment seafood dishes, which made our choices that little bit
environment you have to think quickly and learn
others about the subject I loved. So, in 1994 I left the
was fortunate enough to get the job and spend five
you arrive; the exterior has a spacious decked more difficult.
quickly.
army and went into teaching. I simply applied to a
happy years at King’s as Deputy Head in charge of
area, with luxurious dining tables and sofas, and For my first course, I ordered the Gamberoni
couple of schools and was pleasantly surprised to get
pupils’ welfare.
surrounded by hundreds of dainty fairy lights. In the Tempura, which was lightly battered king prawns with the right amount to accompany the dish. It became
Did you ever consider entering the teaching
a letter back from Newcastle-under-Lyme School in
As time went by, I began to think, as many Deputy
evening light, the restaurant looks like a wonderland. sweet chilli sauce, and what can I say, apart from evident that all of the dishes at Franco’s are prepared
profession at an earlier stage?
Staffordshire offering me an interview.
Headmasters do, that headship was a realistic goal for
Heat lamps ensure alfresco dining is permittable in the they were absolutely wonderful; perfectly crisped with great attention to detail.
Had I gone straight into teaching after university, I
me, especially as five years as a Deputy Head is often
summer and winter months - in true Italian style. batter, with the most flavoursome king prawns. My Then came the desserts - and being ‘good’ was
Did you have any reservations about such a change
regarded as the perfect length of time before moving
The interior is much the same, with the sumptuous husband chose the Cozze Fresche (served with crusty thrown right off the agenda. We just could not resist
in career direction?
onto a headship.
decor and Swarovski crystal studded seating. bread) - Italian mussels in a Light Brodino of Tomato, the delights on offer. I had the Nutella Tiramisu
Once I was offered the job, I did wonder whether it The black and cream, Italian baroque furniture, Garlic, Oregano, Basil and White Wine. The sauce was - Franco’s special touch of classic tiramisu and divine
was the right thing for me, because it was quite a big
And finally, your appointment as headmaster of
is beautifully lit with glamorous chandeliers, and delicious, so much so that he mopped it up with his Nutella! And it was no less than divine. Absolute pure
lifestyle change and meant a fairly significant pay cut
Durham School has meant a return to your roots.
candlelit tables. It really is hard to believe that you bread - well that’s what it’s there for! indulgence! Chocolate heaven! My husband had the
as well. Then, all of a sudden, we were moving to a
What does this mean to you?
are sitting in the heart of a local suburb. Franco’s is a Our mains were just as impressive. I ordered the Panna Cotta Christina - smothered with passion fruit.
part of the world we didn’t know and a type of job contemporary urban retreat, where guests can enjoy Vitello Franco’s - Veal with Special Lemon Sauce. The He commented that the sweet and tangy passion fruit
The position was particularly
The position was particularly attractive because it
that was completely different from anything I had
was my former school and also because it meant that
the legendary hospitality from the in-house team. veal was tender, lean, succulent and just melted in my greatly complemented the smooth, creamy taste of
attractive because it was
done before.
we would not have to leave the North East.
The menu is hugely influenced by Franco’s home mouth; it was very well cooked. This was served with a the Panna Cotta.
However, it wasn’t long before it became clear
When the post at Durham School became available,
country of Rome, and with over 25 years experience of side salad - I was offered the homemade chips but as Top class right across the board.
my former school and also
to me that it was the right decision. I realised fairly
it was perfect. My wife and children are very settled
cooking fine Italian food, it’s no wonder the restaurant I am trying to be good, opted for the salad, although Our compliments genuinely go to Franco, Judith
quickly that I really enjoyed working with young is increasing in popularity. it was hard to turn them down. My husband’s main and their staff for providing us with the most
because it meant that we
and happy up here, and I just couldn’t see myself
people and I seemed to have a reasonable aptitude for
moving to a headship anywhere else. It didn’t take me
My husband and I went along for an evening course was Filetto Rossini - Char Grilled to your taste, pleasurable evening. L
would not have to leave the
it. I’m very pleased I made the decision and I’ve never
longer than five seconds to decide to apply for it! L
meal, which came highly recommended. Seeing the smothered with Madeira, Demiglace Sauce, topped with
looked back. terrace lit up in its sheer beauty and elegance was Pate. This was cooked medium rare and served with
Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant
North East.
1 Brentwood Mews, Jesmond, Newcastle NE1 3DN
My early experiences at Newcastle-under-
Durham School, Quarryheads Lane, Durham DH1 4SZ
a real treat, and quite breath-taking. We were given mixed vegetables - again he was trying to be good.
0191 281 3434
Lyme made me realise that I wanted to progress (0191) 386 4783, www.durhamschool.co.uk a warm welcome by Franco who gave us the choice Just like his starter, the sauce was beautiful, with just
www.francosjesmond.com
44 45
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