James Sommerin
Born
Caerleon, Newport
Culinary career
Current restaurant(s)
Previous restaurant(s)
Television show(s)

James Sommerin (born c. 1978[1] in Caerleon) is a Michelin-starred[2] Welsh chef.

Early life

Born in Caerleon,[3] Sommerin baked with his grandmother on Saturdays as a child. Determined to become a chef, his father secured the 12-year-old Sommerin's first Saturday job in an Italian restaurant in the hope of dissuading his son from getting into the industry, but the job only served to convince Sommerin of his vocation.[4][5]

After school he undertook formal cookery training. Sommerin's first full-time job cooking was as a commis chef at the Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel, Llangybi.[1] Then, aged 16, he headed to the Farleyer House Hotel in Aberfeldy, Scotland, where he trained further under Richard Lyth, who gave him his under-stated French style.[5][6]

Career

Returning to Wales to be closer to his family, Sommerin joined The Crown at Whitebrook, Monmouthshire in 2000 as Sous Chef. In December 2003 he became Executive Chef.[1] Under his control, The Crown at Whitebrook gained a Michelin star in 2007,[1] which it retained for seven years until, due to financial difficulties, The Crown at Whitebrook ceased trading in March 2013.[7][8]

In 2014 Sommerin launched Restaurant James Sommerin on the seafront at Penarth. It closed in July 2020 due to financial pressures resulting from the Covid-19 lockdown.[9]

Later in 2020 Sommerin opened The Shed in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, a "rather cooler premises"[10] in a reclaimed industrial shed, with less expensive food prices.[10]

In July 2021 Sommerin started a new venture called Home, in Stanwell Road, Penarth.[11]

Television career

Having been selected as one of the Chefs to Watch in 2008 by The Guardian,[6] Sommerin represented Wales in the 2009 final of the BBC's Great British Menu, having beaten Stephen Terry.[3]

Personal life

Married to Louise, the couple live in Penarth and have three daughters.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "It's a great place for food". South Wales Argus. Newport. 11 February 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Home – Penarth - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant". MICHELIN Guide. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Whitebrook chef James Sommerin on Great British Menu". Wales Online. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  4. ^ "BBC Chef Bio's – James Sommerin". BBC Food. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  5. ^ a b "James". Restaurant James Sommerin. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  6. ^ a b Rayner, Jay (16 December 2007). "Rising stars: The chefs to watch in 2008". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  7. ^ "Leading chef James Sommerin's family are the stars of the show this Christmas". Wales Online. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Michelin-starred Crown at Whitebrook closes". BBC News. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  9. ^ "James Sommerin 'devastated' as Michelin-star restaurant closes". Penarth Times. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  10. ^ a b Abbie Wightwick (16 October 2020). "First review of James Sommerin's new restaurant The Shed". Wales Online. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  11. ^ Williams, Kathryn (7 July 2021). "James Sommerin opening new Penarth fine-dining restaurant". Wales Online. Retrieved 18 March 2023.

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