Barry Kumar
OUR GOODMAN FAMILY
Meet Barry, our Group Senior Pastry Chef
Pastry chef Barry is the man behind the legendary Goodman cheesecake. Life, however, could have been very, very different for him – and for the dessert lovers of London. Goodman guests-in-the-know will know Barry.
He’s been part of the family for over 12 years now, and, with that cheesecake, has earned his place in Goodman’s history. As well as the pastry section though, Barry can often be found on other stations. “I look after the pastry, the bread, and help in the kitchen too. ”As we say, life could have been very different for Barry and Goodman’s dessert selection. “I became a pastry chef by accident,” Barry explains.
“Before Goodman I was at Chapter One and the pastry chef walked out. The head chef told me to do pastry. I said I have no clue how to do it! He said no, I’ll teach you and you’re going to do it. And they kept training me…” That chef’s departure was, ultimately, our gain – although it worked out for Barry too.
“The cheesecake has to stay. Once we took the cheesecake off and put a lemon tart on instead… but not for long. People kept asking for it to come back.”
“I love working here. The people are friendly. It’s easy. I don’t often see guests at Mayfair – they’re more visible at City – but I read the reviews all the times. The cheesecake has to stay. Once we took the cheesecake off and put a lemon tart on instead… but not for long. People kept asking for it to come back.
”The same applies to the tempura prawns, to Barry’s delight.
“I always have them. I’m Hindu, so I don’t eat beef. If I come to Goodman, I’ll have chicken, truffle chips, the mac and cheese. And a whisky.” No dessert? Barry simply smiles…
Credits
Interview by Neil Davey
Photography by Tom Bowles