Stephen Gomes

Stephen Gomes is a Welsh chef, and restaurateur, based in Cardiff and Essex, and originally from Mumbai. He represented Wales in Series 10 of the Great British Menu in 2015.[1][2] He won accolades for his restaurant Moksh[3] in Cardiff but Wales Online reported that the curry house boss Gomes has been declared bankrupt.[4]

Gomes is one of a long-line of culinary experts, being the fourth generation in his family to work as a chef. His father, James Gomes,[5] worked as an Executive Chef in India at the first five-star beach hotel there. He then amassed over 40 years experience across the world working in India, USA & UK, as an executive chef in a variety of hotels and restaurants. Gomes's grandfather served as a chef on board a battleship during World War II. His great grandfather was Head Chef at the Eastern Shipping Company during the Raj.[6]

In 2015, he was awarded two AA Rosettes for Moksh; the first Indian restaurant in Wales to achieve this prestigious accolade. He was also named Ethnic Chef of the Year at the Craft Guild of Chef’s Awards 2015. Known as the ‘Chef’s Oscars’ within the Industry, the awards recognise the ‘cream of the crop’ of the UK Chef scene. In August 2015, Gomes was chosen to represent Wales on BBC2’s Great British Menu.

Gomes has received a number of accolades including the Ethnic Chef of the Year Award at the UK Craft Guild of Chef's award 2015,[7] Goldstar Welsh Curry Chef of the Year at the Welsh Curry Awards 2014[8] and Goldstar English Curry Chef of the Year at the English Curry Awards 2013.[9] He has held the title of 'Best UK Indian Chef' with the Cobra Good Curry Guide for a large part of the last decade (2007/8/9/10/11/13-14)[10] [11][12]

At a special ceremony held at the House of Commons in London, celebrating the best in culinary artistry, Gomes was crowned the Outstanding Asian and Oriental Chef of the Year 2017. He was also honoured at the Asian and Oriental Chef Awards in London. The awards, held by The Asian Catering Federation, represents over 35,000 curry restaurants.[13]

In 2019 he took up the position of executive head chef at DUSK restaurant in Brentwood, Essex. The restaurant had a soft opening on 7 June[14] before its full launch on 11 July.[15][16]

Within months of opening, DUSK won a prestigious LUXlife Magazine Global Hospitality Award 'Best Fine Dining Shisha Experience'.[17][18]

During 2020 pandemic Gomes with DUSK & KUSHI Group of Restaurants has been cooking and contributing 15000 meals across Essex to help those less fortunate and front line NHS, ambulance crews, care homes and hospitals (*Queens Hospital, Darwent Hospital) [19]

Over the years, Gomes has made a number of additional contributions to the industry through auctioning numerous Chef’s Nights off for charities including the Kidney Wales Foundation. He has supported events including those organised by Sight Support, part of Wales Council for the Blind. More recently he was invited to cook for the Welsh Asian Women’s Achievement Awards – "a project designed to empower Asian women throughout Wales, and promote and applaud their representation in all aspects of Welsh life."[20]

He won 'Dessert of the Year 2019' at the Feed The Lion Food Awards [21] who have tipped them as a strong contenderfor the UK's first fullu halal Michelin-ranked menu. [22]

Gomes is on the panel of judges for the Asian & Oriental Chef Awards organised by the Asian Catering Federation, with the winners being presented at the House of Lords.[23][24]