After a number of Part time cooking jobs and a politics degree in between, James decided to really get stuck into the kitchen properly, he started with The Soho House Group, Dean Street Townhouse and moved over to Kettners to launch the new opening. Following his time there he went in search of snowy season fun and freedom, completing two seasons in the French Alps, cooking in high end Chalets for an elite clientele and in between, freelance private chef work throughout Scotland and Europe cooking in some stunning locations with incredible local produce during the summer months.

James wanted to push himself and joined one of the counties leading restaurants, Michelin starred Alchemilla in Nottingham. During his time there he nurtured his own concept, developing menus and running fine dining, 5 course pop ups in art exhibitions on his days off. James decided to pursue this full time in his hometown of London, collaborating with a number of artists and Gallery spaces to creates immersive dining experiences. James says “I love my Job for many of the same reasons people many hate theirs.

It’s fast paced, stressful, full on and eclectic. I am fully accountable for what I do and that gives you a standard that you can set yourself. It is up to you where those standards fall and I think there is a beauty in that which is rare to find. Kitchens are wonderful places, teetering on the precipice of chaos whilst running in perfect symphony, and I think that’s pretty cool