Chef Levi Roots visits North Herts College in Hitchin

The Cambridge Road campus welcomed the Levi Roots, known as the founder of Reggae Reggae Sauce, into The Meadows - the student-run restaurant - for lunch service.

Levi Roots with a catering student a North Herts College. (Image: Jo Balharrie) The Meadows is currently serving a Caribbean menu in celebration of Black History Month 2024, and Levi tried the students’ jerk chicken and Ital soup.

North Herts College’s Hospitality and Catering students were given an insight into catering for a VIP guest while celebrating the rich heritage of Caribbean cuisine.

Levi said: "Visiting the school this afternoon has been fantastic. I was so impressed with the young chefs’ technical skills - the Caribbean menu was like something you’d find in Jamaica.

“I was excited to share my own journey as a chef-entrepreneur, with a focus on the importance of being your authentic self.

"It’s so important for aspiring chefs to understand the challenges, the hustle, and the rewards that come from blending food and entrepreneurship."

The celebrity chef said he could see the students "passion" and was confident they could become "dragon-slayers" like him.

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Levi Roots with hospitality students at the school. (Image: Jo Balharrie)

Teona, a level three food and beverage student said it gave her a "confidence boost" after Levi complimented her service skills.

“My parents sat next to Levi Roots during lunch service! I was so excited to be able to celebrate my Caribbean heritage with such a memorable event," she added.

Following lunch-service, Levi delivered a presentation exploring his own journey to success.

Roots delivered an inspiring talk to students. (Image: Jo Balharrie) The entrepreneur explained how he went from selling bottles of sauce at Notting Hill Carnival, to running a multi-million-pound business.

He discussed the importance of authenticity and how his mother’s advice before his Dragon’s Den pitch, to ‘be you’, contributed to his success.

The celebrity chef posed for a picture with students after his talk. (Image: Jo Balharrie)Donna Ryan, a hospitality lecturer at North Hertfordshire College, said: "Having Levi Roots try our students’ Caribbean dishes was a fantastic chance to add some plates to their professional portfolios, especially considering the brilliant feedback they received from the celebrity-chef!

“On behalf of North Hertfordshire College, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Levi Roots for taking the time to inspire the future generation of chefs and waiting staff.”