Resilience and creativity – two words that very much spring to mind when you think about Steven Bennett. And they are at the very heart of his story.
But the story of the Lincolnshire Chef is also one of grit.
One of mistakes, learning lessons and living by them.
It’s with a degree of luck, and both barrels full of dog-eared determination, that Steven found his way to food, and to becoming The Lincolnshire Chef.
If there was a fork in the road, you can safely assume Steven went the wrong way, hitting every, single rebel adolescent milestone along the way – and then some. Steven’s story could have ended very differently. Dramatically so. But, if there’s one thing you need to know about Steven Bennett, it’s that he should never be underestimated.
Born in Louth, Steven was the second eldest of seven. His mum, the head of the household, but as one of the eldest Steven took on the role of ‘man of house’, looking after his younger siblings, making sure they had food in their bellies every day.
Protective, always looking out for everyone else, school inevitably took a backseat. Expulsion followed expulsion, each new school becoming an old one in quick succession. At 16, Steven found himself out of the nest, with nowhere to go. The longest three nights of Steven’s life followed, homeless on the streets of Grimsby.
“You can’t underestimate what people go through every single night. You lay there wondering if you’re going to wake up. But leaving home was the best thing that ever happened to me, in a roundabout way. It was something I had to do on my own, to get to where I am. I needed to go through everything to believe it, to live it, to know that I could screw up and still get somewhere.”
Steven Bennett
Steven needed a focus and that’s what cheffing became. Realising at a young age that skill can be taught - it was the will that couldn’t - Steven got his head down and outworked anyone who was unlucky enough to stand next to him in a kitchen.
The first to admit he was never the most talented chef, Steven learnt quickly.
Painfully aware that if you weren’t good, you’d be gone, Steven racked up experience at acclaimed restaurant after acclaimed restaurant.
Learning from those who had earned the awards, the rosettes, and the Michelin stars.
At 23, Steven was awarded his first gig as head chef. A ridiculously young age to hold the title, Steven went balls out making his mark, and truly learnt the value of having suppliers you can count on.
From that day forward, championing Lincolnshire and its phenomenal produce has been at the heart of what Steven does, and cooks.
Countless suppliers from that first stint as head chef are still with Steven today at Healing Manor Hotel – a testament in itself to Steven’s ethics.
Often one to brush things off with a joke or quick-witted quip, behind the humour and chef’s bravado, there is a drive and measured generosity - a direct result of the road Steven took to get to where he is today.
Not only does his understanding of ingredients, flavours and how they tie into the tapestry of the Lincolnshire landscape, outweigh other industry greats, his personal experiences have become the very backbone of his work - his ethos and approach in the kitchen.
Working with local charities, such as We Are One Foundation, running campaigns such as #NominateYourNeighbour and #WhenaCommunityComesTogether, Steven utilises every single morsel of food that comes through his kitchen, providing hot meals for the most vulnerable in his community.
What’s more, when it comes to the next generation Steven is passionate about ensuring their expectations of becoming a chef mirror reality.
Collaborating with the likes of Grimsby College, Steven and his team are taking the time to mentor those who show true promise and that all important will. God knows the industry needs it.
For more than 20 years, Steven has worked tirelessly, testing the waters, learning the hard way.
Multiple awards and rosettes have peppered his path as he established some of the region’s top restaurants.
It’s been a hard journey, but a rewarding one – one that has well and truly earned Steven the title of The Lincolnshire Chef.
Contact Steven today to discuss your menu!
“You can teach skill, what you cannot unteach is a bad attitude. Having the right attitude means you can succeed at anything.”
Steven Bennett
