Clare Smyth: the Core of British dining

The three-Michelin-starred chef on opening her new London restaurant, reclaiming British cuisine and creating the perfect atmosphere

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clare smyth chef
(Image credit: ©john carey 2014)

I came up with the name for my restaurant in the middle of the night. I think the best things come to you when you’re asleep. I just thought, ‘That’s it, it’s Core’. It’s the heart. Whatever language you say it in you can understand it’s the team, it’s the strength. It just seemed so perfect. It’s been a long journey to finally open the restaurant. In fact, it took nearly two years. I was at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay for a long time, nearly ten years. Gordon helped me with my business plan – he was very supportive all the way through. I’d always said to him it's about being chefs, it’s about cooking and it’s about food, but actually it’s not. Food is just a small part of it. I know I can cook and I know I can do food but everything else is massive compared to that. Dealing with builders, structural issues and legal stuff is a big thing. Now we’re open I’m doing what I’m supposed to do again, which is great.

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