Alex Clare

Alex Clare is currently Head Chef at Warwick St Social, THE place to eat, drink and socialise in the heart of Norwich’s fashionable Golden Triangle.  A modern-day pub, WSS is set across two floors with interiors designed by Kathryn Mazure-Hudson, a prominent London-based Designer.

Alex worked as a Kitchen Porter in his local pub after school and at weekends during his teenage years before meeting Chef Patron Daniel Smith at 15 years old who offered him the opportunity to look at life in the kitchen at The Ingham Swan, away from the sinks.  Here, as an apprentice, he discovered the “buzz” and sense of determination in the kitchen – he calls it “the real thing”.  This inspired his passion for food which has continued to grow ever since.  He progressed to Chef de Partie, Junior Sous Chef, Commis Chef and was appointed Head Chef at The Ingham Swan in November 2016 aged just 20. Following a devastating fire in September 2017 which destroyed the building on the very night that he received the Norfolk Chef of the Year award, he moved to head up the kitchen at Warwick St Social.

Alex says “I believe I wouldn’t be the person or the Chef I am today without my past experiences, without Daniel as my mentor and my own passion to explore and push myself to new limits in the kitchen. I continue to put my whole focus to every task, to achieve every goal.  I love my role as Head Chef as it also offers the opportunity to help others in the team to improve.  However, I recognise too that I’ll never stop learning and every day I continue to experiment with new foods and new tastes to create new menu ideas, to be organised and make time for myself for new menu ideas.

One of my favourite dishes is Pan Seared Scallops, Cauliflower Purée, Roasted Cauliflower, Crispy Chicken Skin, Granny Smith Apple & Watercress. My family have a farm and I was brought up around fresh produce so I appreciate the quality of the ingredients which I am able to use to benefit the dishes I am creating.”

Connect with Alex and discover more of his work at @norfolkheadchef