Chef profile: Jake Finn, chef owner of Cinder restaurant

Tell us a bit about yourself

Cinder was born out of my love for cooking over live fire. Throughout my career I had been working in a number of restaurants using charcoal in a robata style or in a charcoal oven. I was always fascinated and inspired by how fire can make subtle changes to ingredients and have carried that passion into how we cook at Cinder. 

 

What’s your favourite thing about where you work?

My team! It has taken a long time and hasn’t been easy but I now have an incredible team around me who are engaged, motivated and passionate about everything we’re trying to achieve. 

 

What was your first job in catering?

David Wolanski, let me work in his sandwich/salad bar in Soho, named Cafe Soho, during my school holidays. He bought me my first set of knives as payment. 

 

What do you do to relax?

I enjoy long walks. Hampstead Heath is my local.

 

Which is your favourite restaurant?

Les 2 Garçons, Crouch End. Local restaurant, no frills and just brilliant cooking, delicious wine and fantastic hospitality. 

 

What’s your favourite hotel?

The Ritz. Get dressed up and have a great time! 

 

What is your favourite drink?

Ruinart blanc de blanc

 

What is your favourite food/cuisine?

Anyone’s grandma’s food. 

 

Which ingredient do you hate the most?

Tinned tuna. My wife knows if she wants to keep me away then a tuna sandwich is all it takes.

 

Are there any foods/ingredients that you refuse to cook with? If so, why?

Not really, if it’s delicious and guests love it, let’s do it. 

 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Pierre Koffmann, ‘keep doing good things, good things will happen’

 

If you had not gone into catering, where do you think you would be now?

Koh Toa, Thailand. Scuba diving

 

Describe your ultimate nightmare?

The team not turning the lights down at night

 

Tell us a secret...

I love Dominos pizza, pepperoni passion

 

What irritates you most about the industry?

Lack of support from the government! I don’t think i’m alone on this one. 

 

Who would play "you" in a film about your life?

Rick Hoffman. Uncanny resemblance 

 

What is your favourite prepared product?

Pepperami, extra hot

 

Who would be in your "fantasy" brigade?

Chef Izu – La Maison Ani, Gaia, Shanghai Me and many others

Gareth Rhodes – FarmED

Joel Ryan – Berenjak

Rupert Gray – 74 duke

Florian Becker – Takans

Dominic Wolfhart – Birdie Gs

Earl Roland C. Puse – BCHCLB, Pela, Gitano