Remembering Ian McAndrew

Before Ian died on 11 October, he asked me to do two things: keep chefs.studio going and make sure his name wasn’t forgotten. I’d been his head chef, and we started chefs.studio together. I’ve been thinking about what he asked me ever since. With Jane and Connor’s support, I’d like to hear from the people who knew Ian and from those who came to know him through his work.

If you have an idea for how we might honour Ian’s legacy, I’d be glad to hear it. It might be something for young chefs, a way to keep his recipes and writing in use, or something we haven’t thought of. I’d like to hear what matters to you and what you think would have mattered to Ian.

I’d also love to hear your memories of him. Perhaps you worked alongside him, trained under him, or learnt something from one of his books. It might be a lesson you still pass on, a moment in the kitchen that makes you smile, or a recipe you still cook. A few lines are plenty. With your permission, we may share some of these memories on chefs.studio. You can tell us whether to use your name or keep your memory private.

Choose what you’d like to share below. You can send an idea, a memory, or both. If you share a memory, please tell us whether we may share it.

Thank you. Jane, Connor and I will read every one.

Shaun Smith-Roberts, co-founder, chefs.studio