Chef

Flash-grilled: Nima Safaei

Flash-grilled: Nima Safaei

By James McAllister

The founder and executive chef of London restaurants 64 Old Compton Street and 40 Dean Street on his love of Soho, why kale is overrated, and pairing pickles with champagne.

Flash-grilled: Nicholas Balfe

Flash-grilled: Nicholas Balfe

By James McAllister

The chef director and owner of Holm in Somerset on learning from bad reviews, standing to up snidey customers, and the many great uses of a mandolin.

Flash-grilled: Harry Farrow

Flash-grilled: Harry Farrow

By James McAllister

The head chef at Sol’s wine bar in London's Bayswater on his first job, memories of Heinz tomato soup, and his favourite food and drink pairing.

Book review: Café Cecilia

Book review: Café Cecilia

By Stefan Chomka

Max Rocha's cookbook is a celebration of finding simplicity and beauty in fresh, seasonal, unfussy and incredibly pleasing food.

The world according to James Lowe

LONG READ

The world according to James Lowe

By Stefan Chomka

As Lyle’s celebrates its 10th birthday, its chef-patron reflects on the highs and lows of running one of London’s most progressive restaurants.

Flash-grilled: Halil Şimşek

Flash-grilled: Halil Şimşek

By James McAllister

The head chef at Leydi in London's Farringdon on how his early career working a kebab stall in Turkey led to a career in kitchens.

Flash-grilled: Niaz Caan

Flash-grilled: Niaz Caan

By James McAllister

The chef behind Paro in London's Covent Garden, recently named restaurant of the year at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards, on leaving finance for a career in kitchens.

People on the move: October 2024

People on the move: October 2024

By Restaurant

New senior chef roles at Midsummer House, Ekstedt at The Yard, Sète, and Rick Stein Restaurants are among this month's key personnel changes.

Flash-grilled: John Keenan

Flash-grilled: John Keenan

By James McAllister

The head chef at Glasgow restaurant 55 Bearsden Cross on his past life in the music industry and why he swapped that career for one in restaurants.

Flash-grilled: Alice Power

Flash-grilled: Alice Power

By James McAllister

The head chef at the Michelin-starred Black Swan in Oldstead on swapping the Civil Service for the kitchen, a particularly hairy commute, the best food to pair with Dr Pepper.

Flash-grilled: Ross Caithness

Flash-grilled: Ross Caithness

By James McAllister

The head chef at An Cala Ciuin on the Isle of Mull on how Instagram has benefitted chefs, his dream dinner party, and the joy of pairing KFC with caviar.

Flash-grilled: Jack Bond

Flash-grilled: Jack Bond

By James McAllister

The head chef at The Cottage in the Wood in Cumbria on hating pizza as a kid, owning your mistakes, and his brush with death on the Central Line.

Francesco Mazzei: I want to go back to my L’anima days

Francesco Mazzei: I want to go back to my L’anima days

By Stefan Chomka

It’s been more than 15 years since the Calabrian chef opened L’anima in the City of London. With next year’s launch of a restaurant within the Corinthia London hotel, he’s returning to his southern Italian roots.

Flash-grilled: Raymond Ma

Flash-grilled: Raymond Ma

By James McAllister

The international head chef for Aqua Restaurant Group on the best drink to pair with his crystal sushi, his first industry job, and the industry figure he admires the most.