23/03/2025
CYCENE 2025
Ode to .sarhane
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I might be holding the plaque but Taz is the one who put it in my hands.
Hard to believe 4 years ago I went to LEVAN and first met Taz as a Graphic designer asking him what it’s like to be a chef. From there I persistently asked him for advice about food, fermentation and how to make my home cooking better. You could see how driven and ambitious he was to become an incredible chef, his passion for food was infectious… also he was a brudda from souf so obviously we were on a level and caught jokes.
Post MasterChef, I gave up my job as designer and began cheffing, all the while still under the guidance of Taz. After a couple jobs in different kitchens he got me a job at Brooklands with him - attaining 2 stars. We eventually parted ways until he contacted me again a few months later to come and work with him at Cycene but as a fermentation specialist.
Taz was sous chef at the time and stepped up to become the -now- head chef of .bms. He had a unique role in mind for me that fit me perfectly in fermentation, research and development, working with all the sections in the kitchen, getting familiar with wines and the overall organisation in every part of the kitchen. I became a sponge, learning, creating, cooking and able to work in any part of the restaurant. There were some dark times but we held it down and Taz successfully retained the star with incredible food.
I wouldn’t be here without him or have these stars on my belt and I’m extremely thankful for all the effort he put into teaching me new things even when he was working insane hours and had little to no time, all the foraging trips, the job opportunities, letting me work with him even and also giving me time to spend with my kids. He gave me every opportunity I could ask for to go from just a home cook to having my creations make it into a Michelin star menu.
With him, I achieved in a few years what most people spend a short lifetime working toward, for that I’m eternally grateful.
Everyone needs a Taz in their life. Big up man like .sarhane
