First British female to have three Michelin stars says it’s like ‘winning the World Cup’
When we think of famous chefs, often the same names come to mind - Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Rick Stein - who, incase you didn't notice, are all men.
In fact, 77 percent of chefs are male - and to lay a footprint on a male-dominated industry seriously takes some doing.
Enter, Clare Smyth MBE.
Over the past two years, she has truly broken the mould, becoming the first British female chef in history to win three Michelin stars at her restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth.
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Located in London's Notting Hill, the high end eatery picked up the top food accolade in the 2021 Michelin Guide - and has kept it ever since.
For those of you who aren't massive foodies, three stars means ‘exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey’, two stars is ‘excellent cooking, worth a detour and one star, a very good restaurant in its category’, Michelin explains.
So yeah, she's a dab hand in the kitchen.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Smyth has been at the top of the culinary game for many years, having been voted 'World's Best Female Chef' in 2018.
She made her name by working her way up the ranks at three Michelin star Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, where she eventually became head chef.
In 2016, she moved from under Ramsay's shadow to open her own place, Core, which gives its own unique take on British cuisine.
Not your usual fish and chips or beans on toast kind of stuff.
Her signature dishes include; langoustine with caviar, roasted squab with foie gras, and chocolate soufflé with hazelnut ice cream.
However, her journey to the top wasn't easy.
ONS statistics suggest that women are estimated to represent less than one in five (17 percent) of chefs working in the UK.
Remarkably, she is only the fourth British chef to win three Michelin stars.
Finalist of MasterChef 2023 - Omar Foster - who worked with Smyth on the show, said she has 'an unwavering commitment to quality'.
He told Tyla: "I am a proud fanboy/follower/disciple of Clare’s work, the Core cookbook is my culinary bible so to get the chance to step into the Core kitchen was mind blowing.
"For me, her mentorship style is what has really stuck with me.
"After working with a range of different guest chefs during my time in the competition, some friendly and some more difficult, to enter a kitchen environment which is operating at the highest culinary level and encounter a chef who is not only kind and encouraging, but also pushes you to do your best and knows how to maximise your potential was incredibly inspiring.
"Everything that is plated and the processes which have brought it to its final form in front of you, you know are part of a highly educated exploration into food.
"You can feel the joy of cooking in every mouthful and that is what sets Clare apart for me."
Fellow finalist - Anurag Aggarwal - also told us what makes Smyth special.
"Being honest and respectful to the classic ingredients and very down to earth individual, even after all the success and fame," he said.
A day after picking up three Michelin stars, Smyth told The Guardian: “I didn’t earn them myself.
“To open my own restaurant with my own vision and ideas, to take it from that to three stars in just over three years.
“We didn’t even get to year three before we ended up in lockdown.”
Speaking about the lack of women working in the industry, she added: “Going back 10 or 15 years, I would often be the only woman in the kitchen.
“Now the environment is so much nicer to work in, there is better balance and I’m hoping in the next 10 years there’ll be plenty of women at the top level.”
"I am so proud of Clare for achieving this incredible accolade. She is a true inspiration to me and to so many others in the industry. Her food is simply outstanding, and she is a brilliant chef and leader," said her mentor Gordon Ramsay.
The Michelin Guide added: "Clare Smyth is a true master of her craft. Her food is elegant, refined, and bursting with flavor. She is an inspiration to us all, and we are thrilled to award her with three Michelin stars."
On winning her third star, Smyth said: "We worked hard every day to be the best that we can. We try to be better every day than the last.
"I just want for the future that young chefs – male or female – have the opportunity to open their own restaurants."
Tyla's Female First series celebrates women who were the first to achieve something special in their field.
Topics: Food and Drink, Celebrity
Anish Vij