Find out a bit more about the grafters that sweat in the kitchen for you 👩🏽🍳
The chefs clattering the pans at your favourite restaurants probably don’t get half the visibility they deserve. Especially the ones that don’t benefit from the transparency of say, an open kitchen where you can actually see them! Yet some still do a cracking job on social media of highlighting their work, and damn right they should be proud of it.
So here’s my top picks of who to follow on social — whether it’s for some cooking inspiration, a bit of behind the scenes, or just cos you like eating at their respective places of work.
I’ve tried to pick accounts that don’t just tout ‘the day job’ all the time — though of course, there is a fair bit of that. But it’s really interesting to see how chefs use social not just to promote the places they work for, but ultimately, themselves. A social media profile is your personal branding.
I’ve mentioned a few times on here that ‘follow the chef’ is always a game worth playing. And I guess it’s just part of today’s landscape that a good chef sharing some quality images of their work is ultimately gonna win them more business. I can’t believe the standard set by these guys below isn’t just the norm these days.
There’s a big argument I could make about ‘where’s the marketing person that should be doing all of this’ but hats off to these guys for doing that job as well, it seems.
So in no particular order…and note: Instagram usernames, current positions, and locations all correct at time of writing but definitely liable to change!
Lizzie Rowell
Pastry Chef, Jesmond Dene House
📸 @lizzie_rowell_
Of course pastry makes a great visual addition to any social media feed. Perhaps even moreso than even the juiciest hunks of meat, ooziest sauces, or most beautifully cooked fish. Pastry is by its very nature, a bit showy — precision, accuracy, delicate.
Lizzie mostly takes us through the latest intricate makes-it-look-easy work you’ll see on the Jesmond Dene House afternoon tea menu, and christ the lass produces some stunning patisserie, but there’s some “not talking shop” in there too.
Favourite recent post? If the perfection of this raspberry & pistachio Battenberg doesn’t get you a follow, nowt will.
Chris Eagle
Head Chef, Porterhouse & Saltwater
📸 @chris_eagle1
Go back far enough, and you’ll see that Chris has been an excellent follow since way back to his days at The Broad Chare. If it’s Desperate Dan sized pies, fire licking from a Josper grill, and lots and lots of meat you’re after — knock yourself out.
A great eye for a stunning shot of the simplest ingredients, and a showcase for lots of the craftsmanship involved in the cooking process. Have a peep at his lockdown venture too — also pie-based.
Favourite recent post? How’s this for potato-based pornography.
Shaun Hurrell
Owner & Chef, Barrio Comida
📸 @shaunhurrell
A quick glance at Shaun’s feed shows that he’s more of an Instagram story user but don’t let that put you off. I mentioned enjoying watching the 50+ step process of making mole that had me captivated, but also expect trips to the US of A, lots of high-end LDN-based dining, and naturally, all the best new bits from @barriocomida too.
Favourite recent post? Easy 🦐
Maria Guseva
Head Pastry Chef, The Raby Hunt
📸 @theguseva
Maria and James Close at The Raby Hunt must do more gallivanting than I think anyone I’ve ever seen on social media. When not smashing through 3* meals across the world much like I collect Greggs reward stamps, Maria is most often seen perfecting a new adventure in patisserie for the latest Raby Hunt dessert section. Think extensive chocolate work like the classic ‘The Skull’, or this new venture in lamination below. Warning: jealousy will ensue.
Favourite recent post? Well… have you ever seen croissants like this before?
Lewis Morrison
Head Chef/Co-Owner, 31 The Quay
📸 @lewismorrison93
Somehow we still haven’t made it down to 31 The Quay, and the thing that annoys me most is I keep seeing Lewis’ plates on social and it makes me kick myself every time. Whether it’s a textbook pithivier, spot-on looking Sunday roast, or the simplest lemon tart, every dish is wonderfully presented and could not be a better advert for the restaurant. We’ll get there eventually.
Favourite recent post? Love the plating on this one 🐑
David Kennedy
Owner/Chef, Kennedy & Rhind
📸 @davidkennedy4325
David’s been around the block, and we’ve followed his adventures since way back when. Right through the Biscuit Factory days, Vallum Farm, and everything in between, yet his latest venture Kennedy & Rhind is proving to be among the most (and I despise this term) Instagrammable. With a seemingly carte blanche of a weekly changing menu, new dishes are rapid, seasonal, and deceptively simple. Would you expect anything else?
Favourite recent post? How about this for #classics
Sam Burnett
Head Chef, Aidan’s Kitchen
📸 @sam_burnett90
Being visually impressive definitely does not have to be all Michelin dining and tasting menus, as Sam shows on his day-to-day feed. Now smashing out killer brunches at Aidan’s, you can see further back when Sam was at Nova, and even further back than that to see a passion for some quality ingredients cooked well. Again for me, it does the job of making me want to eat at where Sam is cooking, so as far as social media goes, job done mate!
Favourite recent post? Who wouldn’t want a breakfast like this 🍳
Helen Doyle
Head Pastry Chef, 21 Group
📸 @helendoyle83
It would be easy to pick out several of the 21 Group staff who tend to make a good effort when it comes to keeping up appearances on social media, but I had to draw the line at two. Doesn’t matter if it’s decking out 21 over Christmas with the regions biggest and best gingerbread houses, or just making a simple pudding on a Sunday at home, it always looks elegant, and it always reminds you of just how good pastry can be.
Favourite recent post? Making simplicity look this good isn’t half as easy as you think it is.
Ruari Mackay
Head Chef, The Traveller’s Rest
📸 @ruarimackay
I mentioned Ruari’s feed in my take on the glorious Traveller’s Rest, and hopefully as the country gets back to normal, there’s more and more of the same to come. Without a shred of hyperbole, EVERYTHING looks good. The guy just has a way of combining a few things on a plate that just begs to be eaten. If you still haven’t made a wee journey to Witton Gilbert, let this be your wake up call.
Favourite recent post? The “I can’t believe I missed this Travs crab special”
Rory Welch
Head Chef, Träkol
📸 @rory_welch7
Could have easily added former gaffer Tony Renwick but alas, Big Tony isn’t all that active on social media. But Rory does a mint job of conveying the scran over at Träkol, and formerly, of the Bridge Tavern — another 2 of my absolute favourite all-time places to eat. Expect flame-grilled pig’s heads, imperial stout glazed ducks (yes), plenty of butchery and really, just food that you want to eat.
Favourite recent post? I didn’t have to look hard to find this one. Al pastor + By the River? Get in.
Emma Broom
Head Chef, The Lord Crewe Arms
📸 @emma.d.broom
Part of a powerhouse cooking couple with her bloke Damian (also worth a follow) but sorry Damian, I’m choosing your Mrs. this time. Elevating The Lord Crewe Arms from ‘just another hotel pub’, to ‘shit, I really need to eat there’ — the lass needs to be on commission for the punters her account must be bringing in. See also, lots of championing of other great NE restaurants, which is always lush to see.
Favourite recent post? All of the best food groups in one pic. Get me to The Lord Crewe Arms, now.
So there you go, some of my faves — and sorry if I’ve missed any of the big hitters without realising. It was actually a lot of fun compiling this list so perhaps I’ll do a part two, especially as more and more of the young and upcoming chefs turn to social media to really show off their skills. In the meantime — who’s your fave? Who’d I miss? Who should be shouting about their work more? Let me know on my own insta @newcastle_eats 😘
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