Revelations: Ronnie Kimbugwe, executive head chef, Bel & the Dragon

What was your first job?
Tomato picking on the coast of Kenya

 

What was your first job in catering?
Washing up in a pub in Birmingham

 

What do you normally have for breakfast?
A flat white with three sugars and a plain omelette

 

What do you do to relax?
I love the open air, so I go to the Devonshire coastline, or go walking in the Scottish borders. At home I love to watch rugby union

 

What's your favourite hotel?
Claridge's. Love the art deco and old-school elegance

 

What is your favourite drink?
For special occasions, Ruinart Champagne, but a coffee or good pint generally does the trick

 

If not yourself, who would you rather have been?
An orthopaedic surgeon working in a third-world country

 

What do you always carry with you?

 

What is your favourite cuisine?
I do love Japanese or Far East-influenced cuisine

 

How would you describe your desk?
Covered in clipboards, A3 paper and colourful pens â€" I never write in blue or black

 

Which person in catering have you most admired?
Gordon Ramsay and Jason Atherton. Having worked with them, I admire their ability to take over the world

 

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration?
Josh Emett, I worked with him when I was 21 and he nicknamed me Horse

 

If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?
I’ve always wanted to be a medic and I was on my way to becoming one when I discovered my passion for cooking

 

What’s your favourite film?
Gladiator and Armageddon

 

Who would be in your “fantasy” brigade?
Mark Sargeant from Rocksalt, Matt Abé from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Tom Kerridge and Angela Hartnett. But the list is endless

 

Videos from The Caterer archives

 

 

Are you looking for a new role? See all the current hospitality vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs