Chef Ryan Riley Reflects on Royal Honour and Personal Journey with Life Kitchen
Ryan Riley, the founder of Life Kitchen, experienced a moment of profound emotion upon receiving a letter from the Cabinet Office last month. The notification informed him that he had been awarded a British Empire Medal in the King's New Year Honours list, a recognition that brought both elation and a challenging instruction to maintain secrecy. "That was the hardest part," Ryan admits. The one person he immediately confided in was his father, Shaun, who responded with characteristic support, saying, "it's about time." The honour became tangible when Ryan was invited to the Cabinet Office and granted a private tour of Downing Street on 29 December, an experience he describes as "the highest honour that could be awarded to two disadvantaged kids like us who are from a council estate."
A Legacy Born from Personal Loss
Life Kitchen, the not-for-profit cookery school established by Ryan and his best friend Kimberley Duke in 2019, was inspired by deeply personal tragedy. Ryan's mother, Krista, was diagnosed with lung cancer when he was 18 and subsequently passed away, having experienced a loss of taste and appetite due to chemotherapy. Kimberley's mother also died from cancer when she was 15, leading her to move into a hostel. "Life Kitchen was my idea, but Kimberley and I did it together," Ryan explains. "We have been doing projects together since we were 10, and when we get together, sparks fly. Without her, I would be so screwed. We are best friends until the ends of the earth."
From its inception, the initiative prioritised offering free classes at high-end venues, aiming to provide a luxury experience for participants. "When my mum was ill, I remember going to community centres for activities, and the intention was lovely, but if these are your last months, do you want to be in a community hall?" Ryan questions. "Or do you want to experience things that you might never get to, like being at the River Cottage or Daylesford? We wanted to create something based purely on enjoyment, which was about helping people enjoy food again – and enjoy life."
Accolades and Emotional Challenges
The project quickly garnered an A-list following, including endorsements from Nigella Lawson, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jamie Oliver, and Sue Perkins. Despite receiving a Point of Light award from Theresa May and praise from Boris Johnson, Ryan notes that this was his first visit to Downing Street. The success, however, has been intertwined with significant emotional tolls. By the age of 30, Ryan had attended 50 funerals, a stark reminder of the losses inherent in working closely with cancer patients. "We didn't realise that when you work around cancer patients, you are going to face a lot of death," he reflects.
Both Ryan and Kimberley grapple with the fact that their achievements are directly linked to the deaths of their mothers. "It is extraordinary to have the level of recognition, but the fact that it only came about because our mothers died means that pain comes alongside success again and again and again," Ryan shares. This residual guilt has influenced his financial approach; he has never sought substantial earnings from Life Kitchen, despite its apparent trappings of fame.
Personal Struggles and a Health Scare
In a poignant twist, shortly after his mother's passing, Ryan won £20,000 at a casino, which he used to relocate to London with Kimberley, launching their whirlwind journey. "They say never make big life decisions after a bereavement, but I moved to London, which allowed us to change our lives, but it also meant that I never really had a chance to deal with my grief," Ryan confesses. "Life Kitchen was a rocketship, it brought book deals and TV shows, and it was very glamorous, and sometimes you can lose yourself in that."
Recently, Ryan faced his own health crisis, experiencing severe symptoms including daily vomiting, rashes, internal bleeding, and significant weight loss. The NHS placed him on the "cancer pathway," a situation he found oddly accepting due to his familiarity with the disease. Although cancer has been ruled out through biopsies, doctors are investigating a potential autoimmune disorder, a process that has involved numerous blood tests and has proven "long and lonely."
Healing and a New Chapter for Life Kitchen
To aid his recovery, Ryan's father is supporting his stay in a rented house in North Yorkshire, providing a serene environment that has been "very healing." "It's let me air out all of my sadness," Ryan notes, emphasising the comfort of having his father nearby. Meanwhile, Life Kitchen is poised for a revival, with plans announced for World Cancer Day on 4 February. "A new generation of Life Kitchen is about to emerge," Ryan declares. "This year we're going to take Life Kitchen on the road with free classes with more knowledge and more science and experience."
The British Empire Medal has provided a significant boost to these efforts. "We never set out for the glory or the honours," Ryan states. "But being recognised by the King is such a boost. It's given us a second chance at making even bigger changes and to help some more people." On a personal level, the award has offered a sense of closure. "I wasn't there when my mother died," he reveals, a fact that has haunted him. "The BEM has cemented my mum's legacy and also allowed me to believe that maybe she would be a bit proud of me and the work I've done, which has helped. It's given me a bit of closure."
Recipe for Comfort: Easy Umami Noodles
In line with Life Kitchen's mission, Ryan shares a recipe designed to bring joy and comfort. Easy Umami Noodles offer a restorative dish perfect for gloomy days. "A bowl of umami-rich noodles is more than just food; it's a shield against the damp, a salve for the weary," he describes. The recipe serves two and includes ingredients like dried egg noodles, garlic and ginger pastes, soy sauce, and maple syrup, topped with boiled eggs, spring onions, and nigella seeds. The process involves boiling noodles, preparing a savoury sauce, and assembling the bowl for a deeply satisfying meal that embodies the healing power of food.
