Vivek Singh (chef)
Vivek Singh | |
|---|---|
 Vivek Singh in The Cinnamon Club | |
| Born | 6 May 1971 |
| Education | Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi |
| Spouse | Archana Singh |
| Children | 2 |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | Indian cuisine |
Current restaurant(s)
| |
Television show(s)
| |
| Website | viveksingh |
Vivek Singh (born 6 May 1971) is an Indian-born British chef and restaurateur. He is the Executive Chef and CEO of the Cinnamon Collection, a group of modern Indian restaurants in the United Kingdom. Singh is a regular guest on the BBC’s food programmes, including Saturday Kitchen.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Vivek Singh was born and raised in a coal-mining community in Asansol, West Bengal, India, where his father worked as a mining engineer. He attended St. Patrick’s School in Asansol.[2]
He studied at IHM Pusa, New Delhi, from 1990 to 1993. In 1993, he was selected for the Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development, receiving culinary training at the Maidens Hotel and Oberoi flight services.[3]
Career
[edit]Singh began his professional career at Oberoi Flight Services in Mumbai and later worked at the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata. He oversaw operations at Gharana, a restaurant specializing in royal Indian cuisine.[4]
In 1998, Singh became Executive Chef at Rajvilas in Jaipur, where he met restaurateur Iqbal Wahhab. Their collaboration led to the launch of The Cinnamon Club in London in 2001.[5]
Restaurants
[edit]The Cinnamon Club
[edit]In 2001, Singh opened The Cinnamon Club in Westminster, London. The restaurant became known for reinterpreting traditional Indian dishes using modern techniques. Reviewing shortly after its opening, The Guardian called it “a stylish dining experience with serious culinary ambition.”[6] In later years, The Telegraph praised the restaurant's blend of fine dining and Indian regional flavours.[7]
Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise
[edit]Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise opened in 2008 in the City of London. Reviewing the restaurant, Evening Standard critic Fay Maschler described Singh as “a gifted cook creating striking and exciting dishes.”[8]
Cinnamon Bazaar (Covent Garden)
[edit]Cinnamon Bazaar opened in Covent Garden in 2016. In 2017, it was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide.[9]
Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea
[edit]In 2018, Singh opened Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea in the redeveloped Battersea Power Station in London. The restaurant serves contemporary Indian cuisine.
Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds
[edit]In 2025, Singh expanded the Cinnamon Kitchen brand to Leeds, opening in The Queens Hotel. The menu draws inspiration from Indian railway journeys.[10]
Cinnamon Bazaar Richmond
[edit]Cinnamon Bazaar Richmond opened in 2024 in southwest London as a second location of the Bazaar concept.
Cinnamon Kitchen Oxford (closed)
[edit]Cinnamon Kitchen Oxford opened in 2017 and was Singh’s first restaurant outside London. It closed in 2021.[11]
Media appearances
[edit]Singh has made frequent appearances on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and Channel 4’s My Kitchen Rules UK.[12][13]
Public appearances
[edit]Singh has presented at international culinary events including Gourmet Abu Dhabi and a collaborative journey on the Maharajas' Express.[14][15]
Charity work
[edit]Singh has supported charitable organisations including Action Against Hunger and Find Your Feet. He has hosted annual Diwali fundraising events and participated in the Curry for Change campaign.[16][17]
He has collaborated with the Prince’s Trust and the Mosaic Network to mentor young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.[18] He has also worked with the UK government’s Asian Restaurant Skills Board.[19]
Personal life
[edit]Singh is married and resides in South London.[20]
Bibliography
[edit]- The Cinnamon Club Cookbook (2003), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781904573012
- The Cinnamon Club Seafood Cookbook (2007), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781904573418
- Curry: Classic and Contemporary (2008), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781904573883
- Capital Spice (contributor, 2012), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781906650728
- Cinnamon Kitchen: The Cookbook (2012), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781906650803
- Cinnamon Club: Indian Cuisine Re-invented (2011), India edition, ISBN 9788184001143
- Spice at Home (2015), Bloomsbury, ISBN 9781472910905
- Indian Festival Feasts (2017), Bloomsbury, ISBN 9781472938473
References
[edit]- ^ "Vivek Singh". BBC Food. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Chefspective: Vivek Singh, Executive Chef @ Cinnamon Club and Cinnamon Kitchen". Londonist. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ Bach, Eric. "Vivek Singh". British Heritage. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "About Chef Vivek Singh". Redhotcurry News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
- ^ "A creative use of spice". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Rayner, Jay (17 March 2002). "Cinnamon Club review". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Cinnamon Club, Westminster, review". The Telegraph. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Maschler, Fay. "Evening Standard restaurant review of Cinnamon Kitchen". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
- ^ "Cinnamon Bazaar". MICHELIN Guide. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "The Queens Hotel - Cinnamon Kitchen Opening". The Queens Hotel. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ^ "Home - Cinnamon Kitchen". www.cinnamon-kitchen.com. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Vivek Singh". BBC Food. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "My Kitchen Rules UK – Guest Judges". Channel 4. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2011". Rotana Times.
- ^ Jenkins, Allan (16 April 2011). "A passage through India on Maharaja Express". The Observer. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
- ^ "Vivek Singh supports Action Against Hunger Charity". Slowfood.org.uk.
- ^ "Curry for Change by Find Your Feet". Mood Food.
- ^ "Prince's Seeing is Believing with Prince Charles". Business in the Community. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ "Asian Restaurant Skills Board with Eric Pickles". Retrieved 15 October 2012.
- ^ "Vivek Singh". BBC Food. Retrieved 7 September 2025.