Twenty years is a long time in show business, so the saying goes, and it’s a long time for one restaurant too, says Chris Austin.

And he should know, because’s he’s been at David’s in Carlisle for almost that length of time.

Not that he’s complaining, for Carlisle born-and-bred Chris says it’s a labour of love that has kept him at the restaurant for so many years.

He started there as a chef about 19 years ago when David’s was just 12 months old, and for the last 10 years he’s been the owner, after taking it over when the previous owners retired.

“I came here when I was 23 as head chef working for the two Davids who owned it. The place was about a year old when I came. There can’t be many places that can boast 20 years in this game!” he said.

For Chris, having been involved in the restaurant for so many years, it has become like one big family.

“We have a team here. I have got good chefs – Mike Dalton started here when he was 15 part time and he has worked his way up. And there is Darren Wright, Callum Brown, and Luke Arthur has just started with us. Between the four of them they have about 25 years of service just to this restaurant. They have been here a long time – it is excellent what they are doing and they know the standards.

“I am front of house now but it is better for me, I can oversee the restaurant and the kitchen. I get to see not just the food, but also the feedback from the customers.”

Chris says the secret to the restaurant’s success is ‘quality food using the best of local ingredients’, combined with excellent service.

“It is good food without the tiny portions!” said Chris. “We are feeding Cumbrians. The good people of Carlisle work hard for their money. They don’t want to go away and think ‘I have paid money for a meal and I’m going to a chippy afterwards.’ Nobody leaves here hungry!”

Asked what is most popular on the menu at the moment, Chris said: “We are known for our steaks. People say our fillet steaks are one of the best in the country.

“We keep our prices competitive as well. There is a myth that it is expensive, that it is very posh but it isn’t. These days people want more of a relaxed dining experience. There is no dress code here. We want to appeal to younger people as well as people who are retiring or retired.”

Chris says that the most popular starter at the moment is the Smoked Haddock Scotch Egg, with asparagus and curry mayonnaise – which is his own recipe.

“Everyone loves it. It is one of the dishes that, when people ring up, they ask if it is on!”

And if Chris were picking his own choices for dining, he would follow that with fillet steak followed by creme brulee.

Chris was brought up in Crosby-on-Eden, attending Newman School, before attending Carlisle College. He then spent five years at the Crosby Lodge hotel, learning under James Sedgwick.

The restaurant – a town house built in Warwick Road in 1850 – will celebrate its 20th birthday, appropriately enough, on St David’s Day this year – Sunday, March 1, and the chances are it will see many more years yet.

“I am not going anywhere. It is my home upstairs. I live here with my girlfriend and my daughter – failure is not an option!” said Chris, who recalls one occasion when living on the premises was especially handy for a customer.

A woman rang up at 8am one Christmas morning having forgotten to but a present for a friend or relative. After speaking to Chris, she dashed around still in her night attire to pick up vouchers for the restaurant to give as presents that morning!

When I spoke to Chris he was getting ready for possibly the restaurant’s busiest night of the year – Valentine’s Day, and he admits that even with the ability to seat 45 people in the restaurant, he could have filled it ‘10 times over’.

Mother’s Day is also a popular time. Normally the restaurant opens Tuesday to Saturday, lunchtimes and evenings, but does open on Mothering Sunday.

Chris is considering introducing some live music on Saturday nights, with a singer performing later in the evening, so diners feel more inclined to stay for a drink and a chat with friends after finishing their meal.

n Go to www.davidsrestaurant.co.uk