By Tangerine Clarke- Kaieteur Kitchen is creating history as the only Guyanese eatery serving up cuisine in the shadows of London Bridge and Big Ben, thanks to the skillful hands, and welcoming smile of owner and chef, Faye Gomes who is fulling bellies of foodies across England, and Europe.
During an exclusive interview after she had prepared favorite dishes including black cake, Pepperpot, Garlic Pork, and ginger beer for the busy Christmas season, the well-loved and popular chef who has served socialites, politician Guyanese-born Baroness Valerie Ann Amos, diplomats, and celebrities, now has the status as top chef in the Square Mile.
Mrs. Johnson, a cookery teacher, at Gomes’s Primary School, saw potential in the young student and encouraged her to continue in the field. This validation set Gomes on a path of success. She went on to graduate from Carnegie School of Home Economics in studies of food and nutrition, and later, opened a small food business in the same village where she cooked beside family members who catered to high society.
Her success story is measured by her diverse cooking style and her heritage of six races of people.
In 1992, Gomes brought her cooking skills to the UK and received great support from the Guyanese diaspora, where nationals would gather, play dominos, and feast on Cook-up rice, Black Pudding and Souse, prepared in a small London flat.
These weekend gatherings soon turned into a catering business. And as word spread of the delicious dishes, and orders poured in, it was obvious that there was a niche market for homeland comfort food in the community.
In 1999, Gomes was recommended to the management of London’s Commonwealth Secretariat by her countrywoman, Donnette Jeffrey, and was successful in being hired as the head chef of the cafeteria. This later helped her to expand her catering business to a food truck she operated on the lot of busy Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, where the colorful vehicle attracted a varied crowd of foodies.
After 16 years, Kaieteur Kitchen, named for Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls, a single-drop waterfall on the Potaro River in Kaieteur National Park, moved to a second-floor walkup at Castle Square, Elephant Rd., London to facilitate redevelopment of the area.
She has completed three years of a five-year contract signed until the massive construction is complete. She will then be entitled to a larger space, which she will no doubt qualify for, since the upgrade is dependent on the fiscal growth, mandated.
This reporter enjoyed a sampling of delicious treats like black cake, fried plantain, and ginger beer, while experiencing the warm and inviting presence that Gomes exuded as she spoke lovingly of greeting customers with a smile, while inviting them to forgo delivery, and instead, “come taste the food, and get to meet me,” she mused.
“It was a miracle working at the Commonwealth for many years. It was also an honor catering to Baroness Valarie Amos fundraising boat cruise. I did it beautifully for her. I prepared many dishes, which everyone was excited about, said the chef who shared, that anyone could afford the reasonably priced options.
I have catered to many other events across London, hosted by Guyanese and non-Guyanese. My catering services got bigger and bigger, said Gomes, adding that people would approach her, and say, I tasted your food at a wedding, a birthday party, a funeral. It is very exciting to hear these compliments,” she iterated.
“I met many important people like the former head of the National Health Service, authors, and actors, who came into the restaurant. You don’t know who some of these people are, but because you always greet everybody with that smile. They tell others about their experience at the restaurant, and my clientele grew.”
An author, who had visited the restaurant in 2021 was so enthralled with the Pepperpot, that he recommended it to Virgin Atlantic management, who in turn, visited the restaurant, photographed the process of cooking the stew, and featured it in Vera – Virgin’s onboard magazine.
The very first Elephant and Castle magazine featured the food artisan, whom the management of the famous square named as the ‘go to’ person for interviews about the popular plaza. One such outlet was the BBC who interviewed Gomes from where she has been dishing out Guyanese fare for almost 20 years.
“I am here trying to do my best along with my staff. But it is not all about Guyanese, there are Eastern Europeans, English, Chinese, and Africans who eat at my restaurant. Many have read articles and reviews about the eatery, and come here, while others come straight off a flight to dine,” said delightful Faye, a lady with a pleasant smile and a warm and inviting personality.
Young Matthew, a five-year customer who was at Kaieteur Kitchen that night to pick up food for his mother’s birthday, said Aunty Faye changed his world. “I couldn’t believe food could taste so good. I have never tasted anything like it in any of the Caribbean shops.”
“My mom says she beats them all. I asked her what she wanted from the menu, and she said everything,” said Matthew who recommends Gomes’ recipes of Roti, Curry, Bake & Salt fish, Coconut Lamb, Stewed Chickpeas, Stewed Oxtail, and a long list of other mouthwatering eats, including, vegetarian options.
“When I come into this place, I don’t know if it’s the food, or auntie, or both, but you feel tangible happiness, when you dine here. I’m not the only one who travels quite a distance to get Auntie Fay’s food,” said the satisfied customer.
Check out Faye’s Kaieteur Kitchen when next in London. You will receive service with a smile. (Caribbean Life)
