On leaving school at 16, Nick Middleton started work with A&S Leisure – the Sheffield-based organisation headed by former Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dave Allen – and has risen through the ranks to become head chef/catering manager at the operation's Owlerton greyhound stadium.

He oversees a restaurant that caters for up to 150 people a night along with the venue's corporate boxes and bars. And he is looking forward to a new kitchen as the venue nearly doubles in size as part of a multi-million pound extension.

Nick is 31 and lives in Ecclesfield.

City Limits Penistone Road

At the start of 2007 I decided to give the hips a bit of a workout and try my hand at salsa dancing at the opening of the new City Limits dance studio in Penistone Road.

It's great fun as well as being a great source of exercise and with friendly and helpful instructors I'd advise anybody to give it a go.

Cubana, Trippet Lane

Renowned for its bar and restaurant vibe, I'm a big fan of this place and the eclectic mix of venues in this relaxed area which is a good contrast to the frenetic nature of West Street that runs parallel.

Cubana boasts a good mix of people and entertainment.

Last Laugh Comedy Club

I am a great fan of stand-up comedy. Over the last few years Toby Foster has done loads to put Sheffield on the comedy map.

I have had several fantastic nights out with groups of friends at his Last Laugh club and have always ended up getting into a bit of banter with the comedian. Always coming off second best, of course…

The growth of his annual Sheffield comedy festival, Grin up North, has been a massive boast for the city's cultural scene.

Paul Powers Gym at Malin Bridge

Training is how I let off steam after a hard day/night in the Owlerton Stadium kitchen. I have boxed/kick boxed here for the last ten years. It's a great atmosphere and regularly seen some of the guys go from beginners to British kick boxing champions.

Devonshire Quarter

This is the place I love to shop. The area around Devonshire Street and Division Street boasts loads of quirky, unique shops that you cannot find on your average high street, along with a vibrant mix of café bars and restaurants.

This place has a buzz about it – a must for any shopaholic in Sheffield. I'm looking forward to trying out the new Bowery bar that opened a few days ago that made the headlines because of its Arctic Monkeys connections.

A night on the town

Sheffield nightlife has gone from strength to strength over the years.

There's far more choice now than ever before and West One really gave the eating out scene a massive boost when it opened five years ago.
I now like nothing better than sitting outside in Leopold Square with a group of friends, weather permitting…

Being a chef I keep a keen eye on the quality of restaurants and it's good to see the city centre's roster now improves year on year. It's fair to say there are fewer nightclubs now but there are plenty of quality late bars to fill the gaps.

Carling Academy

One minute they were talking about demolishing the former Roxy building in Arundel Gate, the next minute we've got one of the best music venues in the region and attracting far more quality bands to the city than at any time I can remember.

I've had some fantastic nights here and it's a great place to enjoy some of my favourite acts like Ian Brown, The Coral and our home-grown Reverend and the Makers.

Sheffield's Chinatown

I've spent time travelling round South East Asia, worked for a time as a chef on Manly Beach in Australia and love trying out new foods and recipes. It's good to see London Road evolving with such a varied mix of Oriental restaurants and cafés.