ANDREW Davidson developed a taste for his job when his father was in the army and he travelled round the world with his family in tow.

Now Andrew, or Dru as he is more commonly known, is putting his knowledge of international cuisine to good use as he develops a new la carte menu for the MacDonald's White Hart Hotel, in St John's Street, Salisbury.

Dru is the hotel's head chef, a position he recently assumed when he returned to the hotel's kitchen after a brief absence.

He'd left the White Hart, where he has been sous chef, just two months before, but after realising how much he missed the job, was invited to return and given a promotion into the bargain.

As head chef, he is in charge of a team of six, catering for the hotel's Squires restaurant and Spires bar and lounge, together with large parties attending conferences at the hotel and a full complement of weddings and functions throughout the year.

His passion for food was first fuelled by his experience of sampling food in different parts of the world, as his father's army career took him from Germany to Central America.

He went on to take an NVQ in kitchen and larder, patisserie and confectionery and advanced GNVQ in hospitality and catering.

Dru is clear about his future plans.

"It is important to give people choice but with a common theme of quality food.

"My aim now is to continue to take the hotel forward and maintain our reputation for excellence in terms of providing quality of food but my first priority is to achieve a rosette for the hotel," he said.

His new menu draws on traditional elements of worldwide cuisine Among the dishes that he hopes will win the approval of AA inspectors is garlic, rosemary and rock salt roasted saddle of lamb stuffed with mint, coriander and apricot farce on Madagascan-style dauphinoise with piquant red currant jus.

Dru says that what appeals about the job is the challenge is to provide everything from uncomplicated pub food for Spires bar and lounge through to the fine dining of Squires restaurant.

"When you serve a meal to somebody, you are in control of their emotions and reaction.

"I love to make people happy and introduce them to new tastes."