Levi Roots facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Levi Roots
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Roots at the Notting Hill Carnival 2010
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| Born |
Keith Valentine Graham
24 June 1958 Clarendon, Jamaica
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| Years active | 1982–present |
| Known for | Reggae Reggae Sauce |
| Children | 8 |
Keith Valentine Graham (born on June 24, 1958), known as Levi Roots, is a famous Jamaican-British businessman and chef. He became well-known after appearing on the British TV show Dragons' Den. On the show, he successfully presented his special Reggae Reggae Sauce. Levi Roots is now estimated to be worth around £30 million.
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Early Life and Background
Levi Roots was born in Clarendon, Jamaica. He lived with his grandmother until he was 11 years old. His parents had moved to the United Kingdom. When he was 11, he joined them in the UK. He grew up as a Christian but later became a follower of the Rastafari faith when he was 18.
Levi Roots' Career Journey
Music and Performances
Levi Roots has performed with famous musicians like James Brown and Maxi Priest. In 1998, he was nominated for a MOBO award for Best Reggae Act. He was also friends with Bob Marley when Marley lived in the UK. In 1996, Roots sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President" for Nelson Mandela during his visit to Brixton.
The Story of Reggae Reggae Sauce
Levi Roots' Reggae Reggae Sauce is a type of jerk barbecue sauce. In 2006, he sold 4,000 bottles of his sauce at the Notting Hill Carnival.
A producer from the BBC saw him at a food trade show. The producer invited him to appear on Dragons' Den. He was on the show in February 2007, asking for £50,000 for 20% of his business. Even though he made a small mistake about an order size, Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh offered him the £50,000 for a 40% share. Soon after the show, Sainsbury's supermarket decided to sell his sauce in 600 of their stores.
Roots initially said his grandmother passed down the sauce recipe. Later, he explained that he created the recipe himself. He said the story about his grandmother was a marketing idea.
Restaurants and Food Ventures
Levi Roots opened his first London restaurant, the Papine Jerk Centre, in Battersea in 2010. His children helped him run the restaurant. It also provided lunch for a local school. In December 2015, he opened another restaurant in Westfield Stratford City. This restaurant closed in 2019.
Books and Television Appearances
Levi Roots' Reggae Reggae Cookbook was published in 2008. It included a foreword by his investor, Peter Jones. The book shares Roots' story and introduces Caribbean ingredients. To promote his cookbook, Roots appeared on BBC's Ready Steady Cook in June 2008.
Roots also had his own cooking show called Caribbean Food Made Easy on BBC2. A book with the same name came out in August 2009. The show followed Roots as he traveled, showing easy ways to cook Caribbean food at home.
In 2010, Roots was on Celebrity Mastermind and came in second place. He also appeared on Big Brother, where he cooked a Caribbean barbecue for the housemates. In 2011, he made a special appearance in the comedy film Anuvahood, playing himself. On February 22, 2018, he was in an episode of the BBC detective show Death in Paradise, playing the character Billy Springer.
Most recently, Levi Roots was a contestant on the Celebrity Big Brother show. He entered the house on March 4, 2024, and left on March 15, 2024. He spent 11 days in the house.
Personal Life and Community Work
Levi Roots has eight children. He has spoken about having a challenging relationship with his father.
In 2021, Roots was appointed as the Chair of St Pauls Carnival in Bristol. In May 2024, he became a Patron for RIFT Social Enterprise. This organization helps people with past challenges and those who have been unemployed for a long time to start their own businesses.
Levi Roots has also received two honorary doctor degrees. These were from the University of the West of England and the University of Westminster.
