ANDI OLIVER
Author • Broadcaster • Chef
With deep roots in Hackney, Andi Oliver is a celebrated author, chef and broadcaster who has built a career around food, culture and community. She brings her personal Caribbean influences into London’s most recognised culinary spaces
She has built much of her career in Hackney, including working as creative director at The Birdcage on Columbia Road and launching her own kitchen at The Jackdaw and Star, a renovated pub in Homerton. In 2016, she opened her award-winning Stoke Newington restaurant, Andi’s. Having lived in Clapton for over 18 years, she has described the area as her “stomping ground”.
Andi became a judge on the BBC’s Great British Menu, appearing for four series before transitioning to presenter in 2020. She later published The Pepperpot Diaries: Stories from My Caribbean Table, celebrating her Antiguan roots and the culinary traditions that shaped her.
Why Hackney Matters?
For Andi Oliver, Hackney has been both home and a place to build community through food. As an Ambassador of Made in Hackney, a local plant-based community cookery school and charity, she supports its work using food to bring people together, promote plant-based eating and improve access to nutritious food.
Did you know?
Before becoming known as a chef, author and broadcaster, Andi Oliver co-hosted the 1994 Channel 4 cult show Baadasss TV alongside Ice-T, exploring youth fashion and Black culture.