meet the chef

Meet the Head Chef

Heading up Taste Haven Derin is the Head Chef and Director. Here she tells us about her love of food and how she started the business.

Where does your passion for food come from? 

My Mom taught me a love for wholesome good food, which goes back to pre-teen times when, on holiday weekends, I was entrusted with the prepping and chopping of fresh ingredients and breakfasts, sometimes more palatable than others! It was great fun catering for “big people”, which of course I still enjoy doing to this day.

Have you always enjoyed cooking?

As a teenager, I enjoyed cooking for my family and cousins and developed a passion for preparing meals for people remembered for a l-o-o-o-o-n-g time.

When did you start cooking professionally?

I started Taste Haven in 2016 and catered for small parties and events. In 2016 I noticed there was a gap in the market for Afro-Caribbean wedding caterers, so I decided to focus on helping couples have the very best food on their dream day.

Our wedding dishes proved popular and the business rapidly grew. We soon became one of the most sought after African wedding and event caterers. We have had the privilege of working with 5-star hotels and iconic venues across the UK.