Rowley Leigh, English chef and journalist
Rowley Leigh (born 23 April 1950) is a British chef, restaurateur and journalist who lives in Shepherd's Bush, London.Born in Manchester, Leigh attended Rushmoor school in Bedford before going to Clifton College and Christ's College, Cambridge in 1968. After Cambridge he tried his hand at farming and novel writing before falling into cooking "almost by accident" in 1977.
After a couple of years at the Joe Allen restaurant, Leigh went to work with the Roux brothers at Le Gavroche in 1979. After stints at Le Gavroche and the brothers' pastry laboratory, and, becoming buyer for the group, he took over their Le Poulbot restaurant as head chef in 1984, receiving The Times "Restaurant of the Year" award in 1986.He opened Kensington Place restaurant with Nick Smallwood and Simon Slater in 1987, and was rewarded with the title of "Bargain Restaurant of the Year" by The Times in 1988.In the same decade, Leigh started a career as a cookery writer, winning the Glenfiddich award three times with The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph and the Financial Times.
Leigh left Kensington Place in December 2006 in order to open Le Café Anglais in 2007. He remained cookery correspondent of the Financial Times. His book, No Place Like Home, illustrated by Lucinda Rogers, was published in 2001 by Fourth Estate.
He is currently a consultant chef for Odeon Cinemas flagship Lounge cinema in Whiteley's
1950Apr, 23
Rowley Leigh
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Events on 1950
- 23Jan
Jerusalem
The Knesset resolves that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. - 9Feb
Joseph McCarthy
Second Red Scare: US Senator Joseph McCarthy accuses the United States Department of State of being filled with Communists. - 13May
Silverstone Circuit
The first round of the Formula One World Championship is held at Silverstone. - 11Jul
International Monetary Fund
Pakistan joins the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank. - 11Sep
Harry S. Truman
Korean War: President Harry S. Truman approved military operations north of the 38th parallel.