Vivek Singh (chef)

Vivek Singh (born 6 May 1971) is an Indian-born British chef and restaurateur. He is the Executive Chef and CEO of the Cinnamon Collection, a group of modern Indian restaurants in the United Kingdom. Singh is a regular guest on the BBC’s food programmes, including Saturday Kitchen.^[1]

Vivek Singh
Vivek Singh in The Cinnamon Club
Born	(1971-05-06) 6 May 1971 (age 54) Asansol, West Bengal, India
Education	Institute of Hotel Management, New Delhi
Spouse	Archana Singh
Children	2
Culinary career
Cooking style	Indian cuisine
Current restaurants The Cinnamon Club, London Cinnamon Kitchen, London, Leeds Cinnamon Bazaar, Covent Garden, Richmond, London
Television shows Saturday Kitchen Madhur Jaffrey's Curry Nation At Home with Rachel Allen My Kitchen Rules UK
Website	viveksingh.co.uk

Early life and education

Vivek Singh was born and raised in a coal-mining community in Asansol, West Bengal, India, where his father worked as a mining engineer. He attended St. Patrick’s School in Asansol.^[2]

He studied at IHM Pusa, New Delhi, from 1990 to 1993. In 1993, he was selected for the Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development, receiving culinary training at the Maidens Hotel and Oberoi flight services.^[3]

Career

Singh began his professional career at Oberoi Flight Services in Mumbai and later worked at the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata. He oversaw operations at Gharana, a restaurant specializing in royal Indian cuisine.^[4]

In 1998, Singh became Executive Chef at Rajvilas in Jaipur, where he met restaurateur Iqbal Wahhab. Their collaboration led to the launch of The Cinnamon Club in London in 2001.^[5]

Restaurants

The Cinnamon Club

In 2001, Singh opened The Cinnamon Club in Westminster, London. The restaurant became known for reinterpreting traditional Indian dishes using modern techniques. Reviewing shortly after its opening, The Guardian called it “a stylish dining experience with serious culinary ambition.”^[6] In later years, The Telegraph praised the restaurant's blend of fine dining and Indian regional flavours.^[7]

Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise

Cinnamon Kitchen & Anise opened in 2008 in the City of London. Reviewing the restaurant, Evening Standard critic Fay Maschler described Singh as “a gifted cook creating striking and exciting dishes.”^[8]

Cinnamon Bazaar (Covent Garden)

Cinnamon Bazaar opened in Covent Garden in 2016. In 2017, it was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide.^[9]

Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea

In 2018, Singh opened Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea in the redeveloped Battersea Power Station in London. The restaurant serves contemporary Indian cuisine.

Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds

In 2025, Singh expanded the Cinnamon Kitchen brand to Leeds, opening in The Queens Hotel. The menu draws inspiration from Indian railway journeys.^[10]

Cinnamon Bazaar Richmond

Cinnamon Bazaar Richmond opened in 2024 in southwest London as a second location of the Bazaar concept.

Cinnamon Kitchen Oxford (closed)

Cinnamon Kitchen Oxford opened in 2017 and was Singh’s first restaurant outside London. It closed in 2021.^[11]

Media appearances

Singh has made frequent appearances on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and Channel 4’s My Kitchen Rules UK.^[12][13]

Public appearances

Singh has presented at international culinary events including Gourmet Abu Dhabi and a collaborative journey on the Maharajas' Express.^[14][15]

Charity work

Singh has supported charitable organisations including Action Against Hunger and Find Your Feet. He has hosted annual Diwali fundraising events and participated in the Curry for Change campaign.^[16][17]

He has collaborated with the Prince’s Trust and the Mosaic Network to mentor young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.^[18] He has also worked with the UK government’s Asian Restaurant Skills Board.^[19]

Personal life

Singh is married and resides in South London.^[20]

Bibliography

• The Cinnamon Club Cookbook (2003), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781904573012
• The Cinnamon Club Seafood Cookbook (2007), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781904573418
• Curry: Classic and Contemporary (2008), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781904573883
• Capital Spice (contributor, 2012), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781906650728
• Cinnamon Kitchen: The Cookbook (2012), Absolute Press, ISBN 9781906650803
• Cinnamon Club: Indian Cuisine Re-invented (2011), India edition, ISBN 9788184001143
• Spice at Home (2015), Bloomsbury, ISBN 9781472910905
• Indian Festival Feasts (2017), Bloomsbury, ISBN 9781472938473