THE CULT
These are the cult leaders, the founders & the food makes. The guys with the ideas, stoking the flames and sweating their asses off to bring you the best live fire cooking in London.
ANDREW CLARKE / CULT LEADER
Andrew is an award-winning chef in the UK food scene. With over 25 years in hospitality as both chef and restaurateur, he is best known for his previous London restaurants, Brunswick House and St Leonards, as well as for co-founding the mental health campaign, Pilot Light.
Acme Fire Cult is Andrew's current venture. He also works as a creative menu consultant for various restaurants, including the Experimental Group at the newly opened ‘Stereo’ in Covent Garden.
DANIEL WATKINS / CULT LEADER
Chef Daniel Watkins is an Instagram celebrity and master fermentor. He's been working alongside Andrew since St. Leonard's.
JAY CLAUS / HEAD CHEF
Jay has been with Acme Fire Cult since late in the first year. After some time manning the flames and learning the ropes, Jay has recently been given the weighty office of Head Chef. Cheers to you, Jay!
STEVE RYAN / CULT LEADER
Steve Ryan is an Irish food & drink photographer based in East London since 2010. He is a co-founder of Root + Bone magazine (2013) where he was a contributing editor. It was through Root + Bone that he forged a friendship with Andrew Clarke who contributed to several issues of the magazine. In 2015 Steve set up 40ft Brewery and Taproom in Dalston where he is Managing Director. In 2022 he teamed up with Andrew and Daniel to open Acme Fire Cult at 40ft Brewery.
JACK BURNSIDE / GENERAL MANAGER
After studying hospitality and catering at college with the intention of becoming a chef, Jack soon realised he was much happier and better suited to customer-facing hospitality. Twelve years down the line (seven of which he spent at various London restaurants, like Manteca SoHo & Shoreditch), Jack derives a sense of achievement from working with a great team and strives to deliver better service each day at Acme, where every dish he delivers to guests is something to be proud of (his words, promise!). “It’s a good feeling doing a job you enjoy. Hospitality is a grind, but a fun grind to say the least!”
JAMIE BARTER / BAR MANAGER
Bringing a sustainable & low-waste approach to Acme's drinks program, Jamie matches the quality of the drinks to the calibre of AFC's unique food. Jamie has been with Acme since early 2023 and has enjoyed soaking up the experience of the Cult Leaders. This year he's excited to push the standard higher, showcasing Acme's ethos and his talent.