Vivek Singh (chef) facts for kids
Vivek Singh in The Cinnamon Club
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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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Current restaurant(s)
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Television show(s)
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Vivek Singh (born 6 May 1971) is a famous Indian chef and restaurant owner. He is known for his modern Indian cuisine. Vivek Singh is the head chef and CEO of five popular restaurants in London. You might have seen him on TV shows like Saturday Kitchen on BBC. He has also appeared on Madhur Jaffrey's Curry Nation and My Kitchen Rules UK.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Vivek Singh grew up in a coal-mining area in West Bengal, India. His father worked there as an engineer. He went to St. Patrick’s Higher Secondary School in Asansol.
From 1990 to 1993, Singh studied at the Institute of Hotel Management in New Delhi. After that, he trained at famous hotels like the Maidens Hotel and Oberoi flight services.
Chef's Journey
After finishing his training in 1995, Singh started working at Oberoi Flight Services in Mumbai. He then worked at the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata. There, he managed a restaurant called Gharana, which served royal Indian food.
In 1998, he became the Indian chef at Rajvilas in Jaipur. There, he met Iqbal Wahhab. They talked about mixing French cooking styles with Indian cuisine. This idea led to Singh opening his first restaurant in London.
In 2001, Singh helped start The Cinnamon Club in London. This was his first restaurant in the UK. Since then, he has opened many more restaurants under the "Cinnamon" name.
In 2015, the University of Warwick gave him a special award. It was an honorary doctorate for his great work with Indian food in the UK.
Vivek Singh's Restaurants
The Cinnamon Club
Vivek Singh opened his first Indian restaurant, The Cinnamon Club, in London in 2001. This restaurant is known as one of the "Best Indian Restaurants" by the SquareMeal food guide in London.
Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise
In 2008, Singh opened his second restaurant, Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise. A food critic named Fay Maschler said Vivek Singh was "a gifted cook creating striking and exciting dishes."
Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea
In 2018, Singh opened Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea. It is located in the famous Battersea Power Station building. This restaurant mixes bold Indian flavors with a modern look.
Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds
In 2025, Singh opened Cinnamon Kitchen in Leeds. This restaurant is inside the Queens Hotel, Leeds. Its design is inspired by the Himsagar Express train journey through 12 Indian states.
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 said Singh is "a master of flavor" and "highly innovative."
Cinnamon Bazaar
This restaurant opened in Covent Garden in 2016. In 2017, it was listed in the Bib Gourmand. This means it offers both high-quality food and good value for money.
Cinnamon Bazaar Richmond
This lively restaurant opened in Richmond in the winter of 2024. It is known for mixing Indian flavors with ideas from around the world. It brings a new dining experience inspired by the busy marketplaces of India.
Cinnamon Kitchen Oxford (closed)
The fifth restaurant in the Cinnamon Collection opened in 2017. It was Singh's first restaurant outside of London. It closed permanently in 2021.
TV and Events
In 2006, Singh was invited to Hangar 7 in Salzburg, Austria. He worked with other famous chefs there.
In 2007, Singh helped create an Indian-inspired sausage. It was based on someone's childhood memories.
In 2011, Singh went to Gourmet Abu Dhabi to show off modern Indian food. He also spoke on the Maharaja Express train journey.
The next year, Singh visited New York City for a special week-long cooking event.
Helping Others
Since 2008, Singh has been an ambassador for Wooden Spoon. This is a rugby charity that helps children who are not as lucky. He has worked with famous rugby players to raise money for this cause.
Singh has also worked with Action Against Hunger since 2002. He hosts a special Diwali Charity Event every year to help them. He supports Find Your Feet and helps raise awareness through their Curry for Change campaign. Singh also works with The Prince's Trust charity, called Mosaic Network. This group helps young people from tough areas discover their talents. He also supports the Asian Restaurants Skills Board, which helps new people get jobs in Indian restaurants.
Family Life
In May 1997, Vivek Singh married Archana in Bilaspur, India. They have two children: Eshaan, born in October 2001, and Maya, born in July 2006. Singh lives with his wife and children in South London.
