Top Chef Keith Burke

Keith Burke - Experienced Top Chef

Keith Burke is a self taught Chef who started cooking at six years old. He would often try his Mum's recipes and loved tasting all the amazing food his Dad would bring home from work (Roy Burke worked as head barman at the Savoy Hotel, London for 50 years).

Learning to cook

Keith learnt many of his skills by reading about and watching cooking heroes such as Simon Hopkinson, Elizabeth David, Richard Olney and the one and only Keith Floyd.

By reading many books Keith honed his own style of cooking and often set his alarm to skim stocks in the middle of the night. That’s how dedicated he is.

BBC MasterChef

His first opportunity at entering the world of food came when he took part in BBC MasterChef in 1987 (when Lloyd Grossman was presenting the show). Keith had been cheeky by sending in an application criticising the programme for being dated and behind the times. He attached a sample menu in of Langostines with herb salad and lemon dressing, Squab pigeon with pancetta, braised lettuce with peas, & a dessert of Pear Tatin with vanilla ice cream.

The producers loved his food (and attitude) and Keith was picked for the Greater London heat which he won, but sadly when it came to going on live television, Keith found it very hard to be in front of the camera. Looking back Keith says he was very shy at the time but it did not deter his ambition and so he committed himself to a career in restaurant cookery.

Cooking for stars

Keith has worked at some of the best restaurants in Britain, including Chez Bruce where he started as head pastry chef on this first day. Chez Bruce is a holder of a highly coveted Michelin Star. From there Keith went on to The Ivy, Le Caprice, Gordon Ramsey, St John, Bibendum, the list goes on.

For the last few years he ran a top class restaurant at a private film studio in Highgate. He cooked for A-List celebrities including Madonna, The Beckhams, Penelope Cruz & world class fashion designers.

Smashing Pans

Recently Keith refocused on the things most important to him and decided to start Smashing Pans so he could spend more time with his young family. His kids now watch him cook, like he used to watch his Mum all those years ago.

Teaching and cooking with style

With no more than 5 students, Keiths' courses are intimate,with everyone in the class getting individual attention. Everyone is guaranteed to learn many professional secrets and tips. Keith teaches his students to balance flavour and taste, always sampling the food to get the seasoning just right.

Keiths cooking style is very seasonal using only fresh produce. He feels that the food needs to be the main star, letting the natural weave of ingredients do the presentation of a dish. He cooks all his food in the same way - with technique and passion for flavour. Keiths enthusiasm will get you cooking for life.

Keiths enthusiasm will get you cooking for life.


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Cookery Styles

Michelin Star style plated dishesoOo

Rustic all share, & tuck in stewsoOo

Amazing garden herb saladsoOo

Rare breed meats, grilled to perfectionoOo

British coastal fish, treated simplyoOo

Fantastic food from all regions of the worldoOo

Food thats full of flavour & taste