Dom Taylor, the chef who was behind the successful Good Front Room restaurant, has died.
Taylor ran a private chef business before taking part in the Channel 4 show Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef, judged by Michel Roux. Upon winning that competition, he was given the chance to open his own pop-up restaurant inside The Langham's Palm Court, called The Good Front Room. That restaurant took more of a fine dining approach to modern Caribbean cuisine, with dishes including ackee and salt fish cake and curried goat, which quickly found a big audience (we'd never seen Palm Court busier).
The pop-up was originally due to last six months, but eventually ran for 10, due to its huge popularity. Following that, the chef opened the more casual Marvee's Food Joint, but that closed after three months. Taylor then found a space to make The Good Front Room, opening in Dalston at the beginning of this year. Of that restaurant, Taylor said, "The Good Front Room is inspired by my great-aunt Myrtle and the sacred front rooms found in so many Caribbean homes, spaces kept for special guests and layered with pride and memory. As a grandchild of the Windrush generation, I feel a responsibility to carry the torch and keep our stories, recipes, and traditions alive."
Taylor's restaurant has posted a tribute saying: Dom was a visionary whose bold, joyful approach to celebrating the Caribbean cuisine of his childhood brought a fresh and exciting voice to London's restaurant scene. His passion, talent and generosity touched so many people, and his legacy will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him and experiencing his food."
Friends, colleagues and fans took to social media to express their shock and sadness at the news:
"A huge loss in our hospitality industry. Rest in peace Dom you will be dearly missed brother." Nokx Majozi
"Dom was an incredible person, full of so much talent and grace. So heartbreaking it just doesn’t feel real." Jourdan
"Dom was the winner of Five Star Kitchen, which we filmed in 2022, and I said this wholeheartedly at the time: he was instantly captivating from the moment he stepped in front of us. He had a real sparkle in his eyes. He was warm, kind and incredibly talented." Ravneet Gill
"You changed the trajectory of Caribbean fine dining and will be remembered with great respect, appreciation, and love." Judi Love
"Dom, thank you for every meal, every welcome, every smile and every act of kindness. Thank you for making my family feel like yours. Thank you for carrying our culture with such pride, elegance and love." Paul Carrick Brunson
"He was also an incredibly talented chef who championed the cuisines of his heritage, celebrating his Jamaican and St Lucian culture through food. He spent his entire career working in hospitality as a very passionate chef. The hospitality sector has lost someone truly special." Lorraine Copes of Be Inclusive Hospitality
Our condolences to his friends and family.
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners
