Who is chef Remi Williams MasterChef: The Professionals 2024 contestant?

We have reached the final heat in this year’s MasterChef: The Professionals 2024, which next airs on Wednesday, November 20 at 8pm.

Introducing Remi Williams, chef patron of London restaurant Smoke & Salt.

Remi was born in the US and studied chemistry at university, before moving into hospitality.

NAME

Remi Williams

AGE

37

WHERE ARE YOU FROM/WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Remi was born in Boston in the US. His dad’s side of the family are Nigerian and his mum’s side is American, which all influenced his cooking style from a young age. He lived in both countries before moving to the UK permanently in 2013. He lives in north London with his wife and two young children.

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

After finishing his A-Levels, Remi went on to do a degree in chemistry at Imperial College London. He then moved back to America where he did a Master’s in culinary arts in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

After his studies he worked in several locations - at a catering events company in Nigeria, in the states at Craigie on Main, Cambridge and Deuxave in Boston and, back in London in 2013, at The Shed as junior sous chef. In 2014, he set up his own venture Smoke & Salt, originally starting as a pop-up in Brixton and now a restaurant in Tooting.

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A CHEF?

“I've always loved the idea of hospitality and taking care of people. I'm a giving person and I love when guests and other chefs or team members feel and understand how amazing hospitality can benefit you and those around you. My family always grew up around food - my mum, both grandmothers and dad were all big parts of my life, food-wise, and always allowed me the opportunity to have a go with them in the kitchen. As long as I cleaned up the mess!”

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF COOKING AND ANY INFLUENCES ON IT?

“My food is modern British - working with seasonal British ingredients, influenced by global flavours and techniques.”

WHY DID YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS?

“I've always had a competitive side due to playing lots of team sports growing up. Now that my main focus is work, that competitive drive for me has been hard to feed, but it's still there! I’m finally at a point, since we started the business, where I can sneak the time off to really put my all into this competition.

I've now got two kids under the age of five and want to do something that they can remember me for. I’d love to be successful at this for both my family team as well as my work team. MasterChef is really important to me. Plus, my wife has been bugging me to try this for years!”

OUTSIDE OF COOKING WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS?

“At the moment, with a young baby, a four-year-old and a business, family life and work take up most of my time! Hobbies and interests outside of that are photography and spending quality time with family.”