Small but mighty

Rajiv KC, Rajiv's Kitchen, London

The concise biography on Rajiv KC’s Twitter account modestly says “project manager by day, chef on weekends”, which is something of an understatement considering how much this self-taught chef has achieved since starting supper clubs from his home in Bethnal Green. The supper clubs were started out of necessity when Rajiv was having treatment for cancer five years ago. His sick pay wasn’t enough to cover his outgoings so he started the supper clubs. The first one attracted just two people but word spread about his delicious regional Nepalese food and he was soon hosting regular nights and residencies. The supper clubs are intimate and run by Rajiv, his wife (who he met when she attended one of his dinners) and his cousin. Accompanied by Nepalese wine and whisky, dishes on his menus include Nepalese momo dumplings, perilla-seed-infused roasted aubergine with Nepalese salsa, garlic yogurt and pomegranate, and lamb ribs marinated in Nepalese rum, herbs and spices with green chutney, hemp-seed sauce and garlic yogurt. So far this year, the themed events have included a pop-up vegan supper club and a Nepalese vegan swing night, both in aid of a homeless charity. For Rajiv, it’s also about giving something back to the local community, and in his spare time he is also a private tutor for children with disabilities. rajivskitchenlondon.com

Head judge Laura Rowe says: Rajiv is cooking food from his heart and his home – and he’s single-handedly bringing Nepalese food into the spotlight, for which we’re very grateful.