Ben McKellar is not one for the limelight. You may not even have heard of him, but you will almost certainly have heard of his restaurants – the Ginger group.
The original Gingerman restaurant opened its doors back in 1998 and is still at the top of its game today. Following the success of the Gingerman, Ben opened the Ginger Pig in Hove, representing the epitome of gastropub excellence. Then followed the Ginger Fox in Henfield and, most recently, the Ginger Dog in Kemptown, which opened in 2010. Ben is a bona fide local success story, having been born and bred in Brighton. After college Ben spent time honing his cooking skills in some of the best restaurants in the South of France before returning to the UK. He worked under John Burton Race at the two-Michelin L’Ortolan in Berkshire before returning to Brighton and eventually launching what was to become, arguably, one of the most successful food enterprises in our region.
I can’t deny it, I’m a fan. I have never had a bad meal at any of his establishments. The Ginger Pig is still, for me, the best Sunday roast in Brighton, and the Gingerman the best fine dining restaurant. The Fox is an exercise in country pub elegance. If only my waistline could handle it, I’d be eating at one of the Gingers weekly. I was delighted to be able to get some time with Ben…
