Gordon Ramsay tips NI chef Clare Smyth to ‘make history’
Northern Ireland-born chef Clare Smyth will make history by becoming the first woman in the UK to single-handedly earn three Michelin stars, her mentor Gordon Ramsay has told UTV.
The ambitious chef grew up on the family farm in Bushmills in Co Antrim, but moved to England at just 16 to follow her dream of becoming a top chef.
Catch up with Taste of Success, which aired on UTV on Friday 13 March, here
Now, in a special documentary charting her career, Clare Smyth talks about the years spent honing her craft, navigating tough, male-dominated kitchens in an industry known for its ruthlessness.
Her passion for cuisine and relentless work ethic meant she was always pushing herself to do better.
Having worked for numerous celebrated chefs around the world – including French culinary master Alain Ducasse – it was with Gordon Ramsay that Clare really made her mark.
She came through the ranks at his flagship restaurant in London’s Chelsea, finally ending up as head chef of the three-star establishment – an achievement unheard of for a woman in the UK.
But five years later, her long-held dream of opening her own restaurant finally pushed her to make that leap and set out on her own, albeit still with the support of her mentor Gordon.
Clare has since been named the World’s Best Female Chef in 2018, and cooked for royalty at the wedding of Harry and Meghan.
According to Gordon Ramsay, her achievements will not end there.
“History’s in the making,” he told UTV.
“Because she’ll become the first ever British female chef to win single-handedly her own three stars.
“Marco Pierre White was the first, Gordon Ramsay was the second, Heston Blumenthal was the third and Clare Smyth will become the first ever female to win independently three Michelin stars.”
Taste of Success goes behind-the-scenes at Core, Clare Smyth’s two Michelin star restaurant in London’s Notting Hill, to see what it takes to command a team of chefs always striving for perfection.
It comes as Clare confirmed her intention to expand her business portfolio by opening her first restaurant in Australia in February 2021.
The restaurant, at Crown Sydney in the beautiful harbour area, will be inspired by Core, with the same emphasis on natural, sustainable food, as demonstrated in Taste of Success.
“The quality and diversity of the produce available in Australia is incredible,” Clare said.
“Having lived and travelled in Australia early on in my career, it feels like a home away from home and the perfect location for the restaurant.”