Vivek Singh (chef) facts for kids
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| Born | 6 May 1971 Asansol, in West Bengal, India |
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| Cooking style | Indian cuisine |
| Education | Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi |
| Spouse | Archana Singh |
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Television show(s)
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Vivek Singh (born 6 May 1971) is a famous Indian celebrity chef and restaurateur. He is well-known for his modern Indian cooking style. Vivek Singh is the CEO and Executive Chef of five popular restaurants in London. You might have seen him on TV shows like BBC's Saturday Kitchen or My Kitchen Rules UK.
Contents
Early Life and Dreams
Vivek Singh grew up in a coal-mining area in Bengal, India. His father was an engineer. Like many families in India, it was expected that Vivek would also become an engineer. However, he had a different dream: he wanted to become a chef! He went to a Christian Brothers school in Asansol called St. Patrick's Higher Secondary School.
Vivek Singh's Culinary Journey
Vivek Singh started his cooking journey at The Institute of Hotel Management in New Delhi. He studied there from 1990 to 1993. After his training, he worked at The Oberoi hotels. In 1995, he got a big job running the kitchen for Oberoi flight services in Mumbai.
Later, he joined the five-star Oberoi Grand hotel in Kolkata. In 1997, he took charge of Gharana, an Indian restaurant famous for royal Indian dishes. The next year, he became the Indian chef at RajVilas in Jaipur.
Vivek Singh met a PR expert named Iqbal Wahhab at a wedding. They talked about mixing Indian food with French cooking methods. This idea led them to open their first restaurant, The Cinnamon Club, in London in March 2001. On 21 January 2015, Vivek Singh received a special award from the University of Warwick. It was for his important work in developing Indian food in the United Kingdom.
Vivek Singh's Restaurants
Vivek Singh has opened several successful restaurants, each with its own unique style.
The Cinnamon Club
In 2001, Vivek Singh opened his first Indian restaurant, The Cinnamon Club, in London. This restaurant is known as one of the "Best Indian Restaurants" by the Square Meal Food Guide in London, UK.
Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise
In 2008, Vivek Singh opened his second restaurant, Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise. A famous food critic, Fay Maschler, called him a "gifted cook" who creates "striking and exciting dishes."
Cinnamon Soho
In 2012, Singh opened his third restaurant, Cinnamon Soho. He also released his fourth cookbook, Cinnamon Kitchen: The Cookbook. A food critic from Time Out magazine, Guy Dimond, said that Singh is a "master of flavor" and "highly innovative."
Cinnamon Bazaar
This restaurant opened in 2016 in Covent Garden. It was inspired by the busy markets, or "bazaars," of ancient and modern times. In 2017, it received a Bib Gourmand award from Michelin. This award is given for high-quality food that is also affordable.
Cinnamon Kitchen Oxford
This restaurant opened in 2017 and was Singh's first outside of London. However, it closed permanently in 2021.
Public Appearances
Vivek Singh often shares his cooking skills and knowledge with others.
- In 2006, he was invited to Hangar 7 in Salzburg, Austria. He is the only Indian chef to have been invited there. He worked alongside famous chefs like Eckart Witzigmann.
- In 2007, he helped create an Indian-inspired sausage based on someone's childhood memories.
- In 2011, Singh went to Gourmet Abu Dhabi to show off modern Indian cuisine. He was also a guest speaker on the Maharaja Express train, talking about Indian food.
- The next year, Singh was invited to New York City for a special week-long cooking event.
Helping Others: Charity Work
Vivek Singh is also very active in charity work.
- Since 2008, he has been an ambassador for Wooden Spoon. This charity helps children who are not as lucky as others, often through rugby.
- He has worked with Action Against Hunger since 2002. Every year, he hosts a special Diwali Charity Event to raise money for them.
- He also supports Find Your Feet and helps with their "Curry for Change" campaign.
- Singh works with The Prince's Trust charity and Mosaic Network. These groups help inspire young people from tough communities to discover their talents.
- He also supports the Asian Restaurants Skills Board. This group helps bring new talent into the Indian restaurant world through college courses and apprenticeships.
Personal Life
Vivek Singh married Archana in May 1997 in Bilaspur, India. They have two children together: a son named Eshaan (born in October 2001) and a daughter named Maya (born in July 2006). The family lives in South London.
Cookbooks
Vivek Singh has written several cookbooks sharing his recipes and cooking tips.
