Young British Foodie: Shay Ola, founder of The Rebel Dining Society and co-founder of Death by Burrito

 
13 September 2012

Who: Shay Ola, 32

Lives: Broadway Market

What he does: Founder of creative food events company The Rebel Dining Society and often works with brands to come up with and pitch ideas. About to launch his latest project - a collaborative effort between Ben Heath and Ryan Chetiyawardana - a Mexican grill and Tequila bar called Death by Burrito at Catch in Shoreditch. For this Ola has a “more of a creative role”, having designed the menu and trained up the team.

Signature skill: “Ideas.”

How he did it: After his small design firm went bust during the credit crunch in 2008, Ola set up the Rebel Dining Society “as a way of trying to keep myself busy during a period that was quite dark. I’ve always been quite a keen cook and as supper clubs were just beginning to spring up I thought they sounded like something I might be able to lend my hand to.” 30 friends and family filled the first one but the group has since done three seasons with dinners for up to 120-140 people.

What’s next: Having run a burrito stall at the Secret Garden Party festival in 2009, the core concept for Death by Burrito came about in May this year. “This was something I wanted to do for a while but we hadn’t found the right site to do it. When the opportunity came up with Ben [the two were introduced by a mutual friend], I thought I should jump on it and try and make it happen. Our beef and fish we try and get from places that have sustainability and ethical policies with their food because we think it reflects in the flavour at the end of the day.”

Why he does it: “Being able to create things in the kitchen that people like is a good motivational tool for me. Every day is different so I don’t feel bored.”

Where you can find him: Death by Burrito at Catch (22 Kingsland Road, E2) opens tomorrow; deathbyburrito.com

Latest from the Young British Foodie column:

Connie Viney, artist and sugar sculptor, click here

Bethany Kehdy, founder of Dirty Kitchen Secrets, click here

Andy Mil, bartender and trainer at the London Cocktail Club, click here

Andy Waugh, found of The Wild Game Co - click here

James Ramsden, chef and author - click here

Juliet Sampson, co-founder of Jaz & Jul's - click here

Fred Smith, chef at Admiral Codrington - click here

Sunaina Sethi, head sommelier at Trishna - click here

Charlie Harry Francis, founder of Lick Me I'm Delicious - click here

Andy Bates, owner of Eat My Pies - click here

For more food ideas, click here

For more by Victoria Stewart, click here

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