A CHEF from Powys who once cooked for the Prime Minister has launched his own firm catering to the rich and famous – including pop stars and Premier League footballers.

Michael Ramsden, from Rhayader, launched Be Our Chef – a collection of private chefs that can be booked to mastermind your private event, such as dinner parties and celebrations – at the height of lockdown.

Now living in Cardiff, he started Be Our Chef in June 2020 to support hospitality businesses to resolve challenges connected to rising costs; providing local chefs to support restaurants with staffing issues at a more economical cost than traditional recruitment fees.

Since then the business has developed and Michael started working with groups to book a private chef for their own unique event.

This soon sparked the interest of the A-list, who require their own chefs to cook and prepare meal schedules to fit around their work.

County Times: Michael Ramsden started off washing pots in Powys at 14; he's since represented Wales at the Culinary Olympics and cooked for a Prime Minister Michael Ramsden started off washing pots in Powys at 14; he's since represented Wales at the Culinary Olympics and cooked for a Prime Minister (Image: None)

The 35-year-old has come a long way from washing pots and pans, aged 14, at the former Brynafon Hotel, on the outskirts of Rhayader, which was most recently the Carreg Llwyd Place B&B.

“Private chefs are not as expensive as many people think, they are becoming increasingly popular and accessible for private events and often charge the same as the cost for a meal in a restaurant,” said Michael, a former Llanidloes High School pupil.

“After a fast start to life as a new business and the momentum of positive early traction, I have now established a highly experienced executive board to drive the business toward our ambitious growth plans.

“Long term we see Be Our Chef as the market leader in on-demand workforce planning for chefs and catering specialists, for both private and group bookings/events through to trade and enterprise clients.

“We are shortly looking to raise equity funding to support phase two of the businesses growth plans.”

From starting out on the bottom rung of the ladder two decades ago, Michael is now dining out on a successful career to date – achieving two culinary Olympic medals while representing Wales on the world stage and even cooking at 10 Downing Street for former PM Theresa May.

“I started washing dishes at 14 and then became a trainee chef at 16,” added Michael, who when he’s not working on the business, also teaches leadership and business management.

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He then took on an apprenticeship to gain the craft cuisine cookery qualifications and has been on an upward curve ever since

“I then worked at the Lake Country House Hotel & Spa in Llangammarch Wells which held two rosettes and we gained awards such as best restaurant in Wales and best hotel in Wales from the AA during my time there.

“I then started working for (Welshpool-based) Cambrian Training Company where I taught chefs across Wales and was in charge of the chef training programme for the Celtic Manor Resort.

“It was during my time there that I joined the Welsh culinary team and was chosen to go to Germany and represent Wales in the Culinary Olympics. Following this we received the invite to cook at Downing Street on the following St David’s Day to show off the best of Wales.”

If you want to see how Be Our Chef works and can help you secure a chef for your party or event, check out their website at www.beourchef.co.uk.