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We salute 10 of the UK’s best-loved black chefs

WHETHER they’re TV stars, restaurant experts of catering managers, there are countless British black chefs pleasing pallets with their culinary expertise. Here – in no particular order – we highlight 10 of the best.

Ainsley Harriott

ONE of Britain’s most popular TV chefs, Ainsley has wowed countless audiences with his flamboyant cooking style (and sometimes, his shirts), as the host of BBC’s Ready Steady Cook. Before his TV career was launched, he worked as a chef in hotels and restaurants throughout London, and later went on to become the head chef of Long Room at Lord’s Cricket Ground. It was here that a producer asked him to present what became the first of his cookery series, and almost two decades later, he is still hard at it. Also a best-selling author, Ainsley’s books include Meals in Minutes, Barbecue Bible and Just Five Ingredients.

Levi Roots

HE shot to fame on the BBC programme Dragon’s Den, where he famously sang (literally) about his now infamous product Reggae Reggae Sauce. Born in Jamaica, Levi’s food journey began courtesy of his grandmother who taught him the wonders of cooking. When he relocated to England in the 1970s, he went on to sell jerk chicken – and his now famous sauce – at Notting Hill Carnival. A brush with Dragon’s Den and Levi became a star, whose sauce is now stocked by a host of major retailers. His success has also enabled him to become a spokesperson for both Caribbean cuisine and entrepreneurship within the black community.

Patrick Williams

NORTH London born chef Patrick Williams is famed for his Caribbean cuisine. He has worked in some of Britain's most prestigious restaurants, including The Ivy and The Criterion, as a senior chef under famed chef Marco Pierre White. He went on to open his own acclaimed restaurant, The Terrace in London's, serving European cuisine with a Caribbean twist. Patrick has appeared on many TV programmes, including BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and also penned the recipe book, The Caribbean Cook.

Rustie Lee

RUSTIE’S bubbly persona and renowned laugh earned her fame in the 1908s as the chef on ITV’s breakfast programme, TV-am. The Jamaican-born talent moved to Birmingham as a child and went on to become one of Britain’s most popular TV chefs. More recently, she released her cookbook Rustie Lee - A Taste of the Caribbean. With many strings to her bow, Rustie was a presenter on the popular ITV gameshow, Game for a Laugh; she took part in the BBC’s Sport Relief in 2008; and in the same year, she appeared in EastEnders as the aunt of road sweeper Gus Smith (played by Mo George).

Malcolm John

BORN in St Vincent, Malcolm John came to England as a child. He went on to study at catering college and later trained with the Savoy Group at the Berkeley Hotel, Knightsbridge for six years. In 2004, he made his foray in French cooking, opening the acclaimed Le Vacherin in Chiswick, followed by Le Cassoulet, which he opened in 2008. Almost a year later, Fish and Grill opened, followed by Brasserie Vacherin. With a number of restraunts to his name, Mallcolm has received numerous accolades: Le Cassoulet was awarded Best Local Restaurant by Timeout in 2008; and Fish & Grill was awarded runner up for Timeout’s Best New Local Restaurant in 2009, as well as being voted in the top 5 Best Sunday Lunch Restaurants by Timeout in 2010.

Anthony Cumberbatch

Anthony Cumberbatch is Caribbean Chef of the Year 2007-2008 and former chef at The Ivy, Quaglinos and Caribbean Scene. More recently, he branched out with his eatery Bamboo Grove, which serves up traditional, yet ‘nouvelle’ Caribbean cuisine. Combining the very best in a la carte cuisine with the authenticity of Caribbean ingredients, Anthony’s blend of flamboyance and flavour are known for createing a vision for the eye and a banquet for the tongue.

Orlando Satchell

WITH experience cooking in venues in London, Miami and Singapore, Orlando Satchell has provided West Indian cuisine for countless patrons. Calling his style, Nouvelle Caribbean, Orlando was able to introduce Caribbean cuisine to many top hotels in London, including Park Lane, Landmark and SAS Radisson. An opportunity presented itself when he was invited to establish the very first West Indian Restaurant in Singapore. After the success of that establishment, he went on to become the executive chef of Dasheene Restaurant at Ladera Resort in St. Lucia.

Collin Brown

COOKING since the age of eight, Jamaican-born Collin Brown is a master of the art of food experimentation, recognising how different foods compliment each other. Passionate about his craft, the skilled chef won the Caribbean Chef of the Year award in 2005 and 2006. He currently runs his own London-based restaurant Chef Collin Brown, which boasts a menu that fuses both traditional Caribbean and European cuisine.

Barrington Palmer

WITH over 26 years of catering experience, Barrington Palmer has worked for renowned chefs such as Anthony Worrell Thompson and the famous Roux brothers. In 2007, he set up his company Palmer’s Catering, which provides Caribbean, European, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. Barrington has catered for many events including weddings and both private and corporate functions, and in 2008, Palmer’s Catering scooped the Barking & Dagenham Enterprise award for Best New Business of the Year.

Trevor Burrell

THROUGH his company Burrell Catering, Trevor has provided fine Caribbean food for a variety of events. Praised for the exquisite presentation of his dishes, Trevor boasts a wealth of experience. After obtaining his qualifications at Westminster College, he served his apprenticeship at Grosvenor House in London and went on to work in numerous venues including The Dorchester, The Savoy and Hyde Park Hotel, before setting up his renowned catering firm.

Published: 29 July 2010
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