Fine dining is increasingly led by women: let's get to know Clare Smyth, acclaimed internationally, and now achieving success as a chef in the United Kingdom. Her latest achievement is the Catey Award, considered the culinary Oscars in the country.
The story
Clare Smyth was the first woman to achieve three Michelin stars in the UK, after securing them during her tenure as the head chef at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant. But her journey doesn't stop there; she continues to climb higher in the culinary world. Her latest milestone is winning one of the most prestigious awards in the UK's restaurant industry, the Catey Award, which is now in its 40th edition and is considered the "Oscar" of British gastronomy. Specifically, she was honored with the prestigious title of Restaurateur of the Year, a decision made by a panel of experts.
Originally from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Smyth grew up on her family's farm near Bushmills, where every meal was prepared at home using mostly homegrown ingredients. Traditional dishes featuring vegetables, meat, and potatoes left a lasting impression on her (a potato dish, in particular, became her signature, featuring trout eggs, herring, and dulse seaweed). At the age of fifteen, while still in school, she began working as a cook at a local restaurant, whose chef had a background in Michelin-starred establishments. This experience fueled her passion for the culinary profession, leading her to read countless books on fine dining. This ultimately motivated her to move to England to attend culinary school and work in various fine dining restaurants.
In 2002, fate brought her to Gordon Ramsay, and she quickly became his right-hand woman. After a long collaboration, she opened her own restaurant, Core, in Notting Hill, London, in 2017. National and international recognition followed, including the title of the world's best female chef according to The World's 50 Best in 2018. Then, in 2021, during the continuing pandemic uncertainties, she achieved the esteemed three Michelin stars. This accomplishment was a result of her cuisine's principles, based on the sublimation of British or Irish produce, combining taste and sustainability. Additionally, Smyth has been leading Oncore in Sydney since November 2021, located on the twenty-sixth floor of Crown Sydney, which has already been hailed by critics as the best restaurant in the city.
