Nigel was born in Bridlington, East Yorkshire on 25th June 1966, the youngest son of parents who have spent a lifetime in the Hotel and Catering industry. It is not surprising then, that Nigel, having grown up in this environment, should follow in their footsteps.
From his teenage years Nigel spent much of his time "learning the ropes" at their family restaurant, then known as "The Four Winds", a sizeable conference and banqueting centre near Driffield, East Yorkshire.
His formal catering training started when at 16 he spent 2 years at Hull College, 2 at Scarborough and a year each at Grimsby and Beverley College.
Nigel has regularly appeared on BBC Radio Humberside's morning show giving hints, tips and recipe advice.
During his career he's worked at some of the UK's biggest and busiest hotels and competed in many national competitions including the London Hotelympia Salon Culinaire competitions and also won a place in the Forte's Chef of the Year competition.
During his career he spent time overseas at the highly acclaimed French cookery school Ecole Le Notre where he picked up a wealth of experience and knowledge in areas of specialist patisserie work. He, like fellow chef and Yorkshire man James Martin both share the privilege of attending Scarborough College, both Nigel and James are highly regarded by senior lecturer Ken Allinson.
In 2008 Nigel was invited for screen tests for BBC2's Ready Steady Cook. He also filmed and produced a set of three cookery DVD's and launched his Cookery Academy in North Lincolnshire in 2008, the academy is said to be Lincolnshire finest cookery school and has since grown to new premises in during the summer of 2010. Nigel was also invited as a guest chef by Jean Christophe Novelli to deliver courses at the world famous Novelli Academy.
Nigel is in the process of writing his first cookery book to be published in December 2013.
Nigel regularly demonstrates at top food festivals and events throughout the UK from Brighton's Jubilee Square, Royal Hampton Court Palace London to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. In 2008 Nigel demonstrated at the Channel 4 Leeds Taste Festival. He's been a regular celebrity at the 2007/8 & 9 Hull Global Food Fest and has also provided an impromptu "cooking with banter" along with Ainsley Harriot, entertaining the audience with their cheeky sense of humor and easy to follow teaching styles. In 2010 Nigel became actively involved in the national Love Food, Hate Waste Campaign, a cause Nigel demonstrates passionately.
Nigel appeared live in Hull with James Martin in 2010 at the Hull Truck Theatre together they performed three outstanding shows during the course of the day to an audience of over 1000 people.
March 2011 saw Nigel appear together with fellow chef and friend Jean Christophe Novelli, at the Hull Truck Theatre for three fantastic shows during the course of the day.
30th November 2011 saw the "Dynamic Duo" Nigel and James Martin back in action at a corporate product launch event in Central London.
Nigel is also the food features editor and columnist for Renaissance Hull, The City and East Yorkshire's Premier Lifestyle Magazine
In January 2012 Nigel became a regular recipe columnist for The Lady Magazine online.
In October 2012 Nigel will be flying out to New Deli for two weeks he will be "Guest Cheffing" some exclusive cookery school days at Deli's very own Zaza Cookery School.
Nigel particularly enjoys long haul holidays with adventure and "poolside research" (an important and integral part of his holiday itinerary), he says it's a tough job but someone's got to do it!
Other favorite pastimes include, game shooting, clay pigeon shooting, a hike across the North Yorkshire Moors and cars - anything from big beastie 4wd's to a rusty restoration project and there's nothing he likes more than to drive, hood down, around the lanes of the Lincolnshire Wolds in his 1971 Austin Sprite.
Nigel says 'she's classic Teal Blue with sexy curves and absolutely drop dead gorgeous', but don't let his wife hear that!
Nigel is pleased to announce his ongoing commitment and support as Patron of the Echoes Foundation, a charitable organisation that supports families and children with disabilities.
For more details contact www.echoesfoundation.co.uk
Nigel was also featured in the Echoes Foundation 2011 charity celebrity chef calendar along with Gordon Ramsay, Gino D 'Acampo, Gary Rhodes, Raymond Blanc, Ainsley Harriott, Merrilees Parker, James Martin and the Hairy Bikers.
Auditions, Media, Events Bookings & Enquiries
Contact
Lisa Barker
Media & Events Manager
Email. info@nigelbrownchef.co.uk
