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Sophie Michell

@sophiemichell

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Michelin-trained Chef, turned Farm to table obsessive. 8 cookbooks. TV.
Based between Barbados- UK 🧿🌴

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Hi lovelies 👋 Long overdue, but I wanted to properly reintroduce myself and share a bit of my story.

I've been a chef for over 30 years. I left school with no qualifications and started as a pot washer aged 14.

I worked my way up, moved to London at 18, and trained in Michelin-starred kitchens — The Lanesborough, Le Gavroche, The Greenhouse. I was nominated for Young Chef of the Year after winning award after award in culinary competitions.

The hours took a toll on my health, so I moved into private cheffing — cooking for the likes of Claudia Schiffer, Leonardo DiCaprio, heads of state and royalty.

My first cookbook was published when I was 21. Seven more followed, a few award-winning, all healthy, farm-to-table food — much of it born from my own healing journey through food.

I appeared on Cook Yourself Thin and did plenty of TV after that, including singing live to 9 million BBC1 viewers for charity 🫣

Then back into 5-star kitchens — I became the UK's youngest female Executive Chef at 31, at Belgraves Hotel (now The Hari), before opening The Gorgeous Kitchen, a female-led restaurant at Heathrow.

I took on the role of Executive Chef at Home House, one of London's most prestigious private members' clubs — and fell pregnant three months in. I worked too hard, and at seven months I collapsed.

I was hospitalised and diagnosed with a critical heart condition. But my son Oscar arrived safely, and he was perfect.That changed everything. I took a role as Director of Food & Beverage at Byron Burgers while I recovered — 55 restaurants, a very different pace of life.

I'd just started consulting in Barbados when COVID hit. At the same time, my heart condition was given the all-clear — it turned out to be pregnancy-related — and I no longer needed to stay close to my specialist in London.

The universe took over. I was offered a partnership and a life in Barbados, and I took it — a chance for more meaning, more impact, more connection to the environment. My next chapter is still unfolding, but I'm endlessly grateful to be here, living it. I hope this page brings you a little sunshine & recipes ❤️ by @sophiemichell

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2 months ago

My camera roll as a chef. Event prep, clean ingredients, pretty kitchens and new toys.
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#cheflife #barbados #food #events #westindies taken in Barbados by @sophiemichell

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10 days ago

Sunday Morning vibes @holdersfarmersmarket. I’m over excited at the moment for some reason, life seems more sunny in general, even though it’s been trying to rain all day here in BIM 🌅
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I love Holders, my fave lady Yosia from @harrowsorganic is there with the best produce. I also got some stunning gauva jelly 💕
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Shirley from Organic Growers has the most insane avocados and Shaddock, there is hummus, salt fish patties, Cassava Pone & I even bought some pots of lemongrass to grow at home.
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This time of years the market is smaller than high season and now really is the time to support farmers, producers and small businesses on the island, it’s brutal on a business how quiet it gets.
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Ras Moses keeps me healthy with his Liver Detox Tonics and natural bug spray, there are hand made bagels @thoroughbread246, gorgeous smoothies and fermented jars of goodness and of course amazing natural juices, masala street food, gifts and more. Always end it with an iced coffee & banana bread muffin.
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Sunday done right and sets you up for the week 🍃🌴🙏🇧🇧 by @sophiemichell

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13 days ago

Let’s make Water Sorrel and Starfruit Ceviche

Found these amazing water sorrel, the sourness made me think of chow and ceviche, so here we go, They ARE PUNCHY LITTLE TINGS. LOVE THEM.

Makes enough for 4

Dressing
8/10 water sorrel juiced
Juice 3 limes
1 “ piece of ginger, finely grated
2 flavour peppers, sliced
1/2 diced red onion
2 tomatoes diced
1 small handful of cilantro
Salt and pepper

600g diced fresh white fish
1 to 2 starfruit

1. Juice the water sorrel
2. Mix all the dressing ingredients together
3. Dice the fish and mix into the dressing
4. Slice the starfruit and and plate up with the ceviche taken in Barbados by @sophiemichell

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15 days ago

I’ve been abit quiet on social, sometime life takes over. New recipe reels will be coming soon!
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I’ve been working on business plans, making time for my mates, son and our new home. Cashew the cat seems to have found her favourite spot though 😻 and Hazel our little crazy cane dog is loving the walks.
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#barbados #familylife #westindies taken in Barbados by @sophiemichell

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23 days ago

I am so excited to be working @pandocruises again this year again. I’m heading to the ship for demos and more to showcase the best of Barbados’s ingredients and to talk about the island. It’s a fantastic initiative to bring some farm to table goodness to the guests on the ship. Not to mention the Bajan dishes to the buffet ❤️
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I love seeing the discovery and interest on the faces of everyone 🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧
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#ad #p&o #barbados #visitbarbados taken in Barbados by @sophiemichell

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a month ago

Had myself a Bajan Saturday 🇧🇧
*Fishmarket for snapper
*Giant avocadoes
*Liver Cutter
*Coconut water
*Beach vibes
*Pudding & Souse
*The most beautiful local produce
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#barbados #saturday #market taken in Bridgetown, Barbados by @sophiemichell

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a month ago

So excited to see the flurry of concepts being opened by powerful female chefs on the island. All thoughtful concepts with innovative, creative, and healthy food offerings, that the island needs.
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I had the pleasure of trying @merakimindfullymade last week and loved it. The orange Blossom Matcha might be my new fave drink, the vegan ‘burrata’ was fab and the smashed prawn tacos were exactly right too. Don’t forget the cookies, I took two to go.
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I haven’t got to @greenmangocafebb or @hookedbistrobarbados but they are both owned by female powerhouses and I can’t wait to try them.
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Don’t get me wrong, there are some great male chefs here too, but I know how hard is it to do business as a woman successfully. That’s before you add in being a mother etc. So MASSIVE shout out to them 👊
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#femalechefs #barbados #chefs #newconcepts taken in Barbados by @sophiemichell

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2 months ago

I tend to think that Ceaser salads are abit boring, they are on EVERY damn menu, but actually made properly they are damn good. So here’s a recipe made from scratch.

Cheffy Tips ✨

✨Make the croutons with good quality bread and tear don’t cut into straight squares.

✨Smoked anchovies and aged Parmesan elevate it

✨Making your own dressing is the key.

Ceaser salad
Recipe for 4/6 portions

Dressing-

3 garlic cloves
3 anchovy fillets
6 egg yolks
4 tsp Dijon mustard
50ml vinegar
150ml olive oil
100ml sunflower oil
Lots of black pepper
Salt to taste
50g aged Parmesan

Salad;
2 heads romaine lettuce
150g old focaccia or sourdough
25g Parmesan
More anchovies

1. Make the dressing by adding the garlic, anchovies, lemon & mustard to a blender. Blitz until fine, then slowly pour in the oils to thicken.
2. Don’t pour them too quickly, you want a mayo like consistency. Then add some water to desired consistency and season.
3. Tear the bread into smaller pieces, drizzle with olive oil and season then roast until golden.
4. Chop the lettuce into large peices and the add to a bowl, along with the croutons, drizzle with dressing, grate in more cheese and plate. Add anchovies if using.

#foodie #recipes #cheftips by @sophiemichell

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a month ago

Birthday weekend in Barbados. Cocktails &
Cake @bluemonkeybarbados, then Sunday recovery @holdersfarmersmarket to prep for the week. Love the liver Detox juices and naturally fermented krauts and pickles. Perfect for when I don’t have time to make at home.
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#farmsmarket #barbados #beach taken in Barbados by @sophiemichell

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2 months ago

Calling all Chefs! 💕🌈🙏
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I want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU! To everyone who has replied, emailed and showed interest. Y’all are giving me so much hope and Joy for our little world! Cooking rocks! I love seeing some many passionate people in our cooking and Farm to Table Community. The response to this AD has been INSANE!
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The current roles are in Barbados, so local & Caricom chefs will get priority, BUT I do work all over the world and I am always being asked to place chefs worldwide, so I will work through and store all CV’s for future reference. I will also personally read all of them.
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I am going to try and answer everyone, but it will take me a while and my team will be helping me too next week.
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I’m off air for abit to celebrate my birthday with my family and friends, but thank you for YOUR present to me, showing me SO much positivity and energy.
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#barbados #chefs #jobs #caribbean #work taken in Barbados by @sophiemichell

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2 months ago

New Opportunities!! So I’m working with various new clients and setting up a new business 🤩
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I’m looking for passionate Chefs to join these ventures. There are a lot of options at various levels and different concepts, with good pay and work conditions, so please reach out and tell me what works for YOU.
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The one aspect that is needed in all is a positive attitude and a desire to learn about Farm to Table cooking and sustainability. So if that’s your vibe then email me. Sophie@sophiemichell.com.
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#jobsbarbados #chefs #farmtotable #barbados by @sophiemichell

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2 months ago