Local lad Kyle put his education on hold to travel the world, living in both the US and Australia for two years, while running his own vintage fashion business in Melbourne. He moved back to London to study fashion PR and marketing before working with the Simply Fish restaurants in Camden and Shoreditch. Now he’s embarking on a brand new opening, called The Bayou, an all-day Creole bar and kitchen serving up southern soul food on Inverness Street, right in the heart of Camden Town.
When were you happiest?
Right now really. It’s been an exceptional year including graduating and setting up my own business. Everything has really fallen into place, especially working on the Bayou launch.
What makes you unhappy?
Rudeness and bad service in restaurants, especially when they then go and stick a 12.5% service charge on the bill.
What is your greatest life achievement?
Graduating, so far. It took me a while to get around to going to uni, but leaving the UK and going travelling really helped me decide exactly what it was I wanted out of the whole experience. It was hard going back to education, but proved really rewarding in the end.
What is your earliest K-Town memory?
Quinn’s and having a pint after work at 2am.
What is your favourite sound or smell?
Walking past Chicken Shop is always a pleasure for the nose.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Sam’s Chicken at 1am.
Where do you hang out?
Any of the local coffee shops. The Literary Café on Fortess Road is excellent and great for working from.
Who or what do you hate and why?
Gillets or body warmers. You see them about far too much for my liking. There is much more to fashion than a coat without sleeves.
What’s your best K-Town experience?
Well, I used to work behind the bar at The Forum and one of my funniest K-Town experiences was having to dash down the high street to pick up a Nando’s for rapper The Game right in the middle of a gig. He refused to go on stage until he’d had it. Surreal.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My nose. I just think it could be better.
What’s the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
I was told I couldn’t study Art at A level as I was too disruptive. In hindsight I was a bit of a joker at school, but it all worked out well in the end.
Tell us a secret.
The Bayou will have the best pulled pork in London, although we call it tasso.
What has your career taught you?
To listen to people who know more than you. Learning from their experiences always gives you an advantage.
What is your favourite dish and why?
Chilli salt squid from Simply Fish or a simple carbonara if I’m cooking myself.
Describe yourself as an animal.
A tiger. I’m a proud ginger, so that’s the animal that works best for me. And it’s a bit cooler than an orangutan.
The Bayou opens on 10th July on Inverness Street, NW1.
