MEET THE CHEF :
DEXTER THOMAS
Soul Chef Kitchen , Deal
What led you to becoming a chef ? Spending time in the kitchen with my mum since I was 9 years old started my journey and has given me the love and passion I needed to be a chef . I absolutely love being a chef !
Where did you train ? At the amazing Lewisham College in South London , where I studied hospitality and catering .
Where have you worked before Soul Chef Kitchen ? Since college I have worked in a variety of hotel kitchens including well known names such as Hilton and Marriott . I also worked in Jamie Oliver ’ s restaurant and in kitchens as far afield as Wales and Norway !
Why Soul Chef Kitchen and why Kent ? My wife is in love with Deal … And as a man you support your wife ! I was not behind the idea at first , but after a weekend in Deal I was totally convinced . It is a great place with access to great produce . I wanted to be able to cook Jamaican food like you ’ ve never tasted before , using Caribbean spices , traditional recipes passed down generations and a barrel bbq for that unique taste . I ’ m now set up at
The Astor Theatre for collection and offer free delivery to those within a 2-mile radius .
Tell us about the dishes and menu you have created at Soul Chef Kitchen ? The menu and dishes are created around the passion and love I have for Jamaican food and combining that with the lovely produce that Kent has to offer . The result is freshly cooked , authentic Jamaican food . The menu includes jerk chicken , jerk pork belly , goat curry , Jamaican coconut and ginger fried chicken , salt fish fritters , plantain , and dumplings .
What is your signature / favourite dish ? Jerk venison loin , served with dauphinoise potatoes , juniper berry jus and chargrilled tenderstem broccoli . The dish is full of traditional Jamaican jerk flavour , yet refined and balanced too .
What is your guilty pleasure I like deep frying stuff . Oreos , Mars Bars , Bounty …. and am a big big big fan of anything spicy !
www . soulchefkitchen . co . uk soulchefkitchen
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