Kitchens sound like hell to some: the hours, the pressure, the heat. But for Diarmuid Goodwin cooking makes his head go quiet; he loves the serenity and stillness of mind that pure concentration brings. 

Currently head chef at Sager and Wilde in Bethnal Green, Diarmuid grew up in Belfast before moving to London to work for Angela Hartnett at Cafe Murano. Following his passion to The Grain Store and Trullo, he discovered his particular adoration for Mediterranean cuisine and his need to always be busy! Alongside his full-time job, this chef still finds time to build his pop-up company ‘Close Ties’ hosting wine raves sustained by his delicious food. 

He works hard to create systems and ways of working that incite creativity and self-acceptance. Each member of his team creates a dish monthly to encourage this growth and confidence. Identifying as queer, Diarmuid places utmost importance on the fact that kitchens should be a safe space in which London’s diverse and multicultural community are respected and celebrated wholeheartedly. 

I’m Stella and I’m gonna take you out for dinner. 

Mentions:

https://www.instagram.com/diarmuidg94/?hl=en 

https://www.sagerandwilde.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/close_ties_/?hl=en  

https://angelahartnett.co.uk/ 

https://www.cafemurano.co.uk/ 

https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/chefs/bruno-loubet 

https://www.grainstore.com/about 

https://www.trullorestaurant.com/ 

https://www.crispinlondon.com/ 

https://58andco.com/ 

https://carousel-london.com/ 

https://www.satanswhiskers.com/ 

https://www.orenlondon.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/neiljohncampbell/ 

https://ottolenghi.co.uk/restaurants/rovi