ames is the culinary spark who ignited Ember, a multi award-winning restaurant in Wellingborough recently named in Open Tables top 100, where James and his team cook over live fire.

James never wanted to be a chef. He wanted to be a soldier. The Army is where he first found himself in a kitchen and where the early sparks of his talent began to emerge. He will say he wasn’t a chef until he started working in London, in high-end kitchens, being put to the test, and truly learning his craft. Looking to balance work and fatherhood, James returned to his native Northampton to set up his own specialist catering business, Burnt Lemon Catering. Bringing his fine dining skill to parties, high profile events, and weddings. This led to his starring role in the reality TV show The Brigade, hosted by Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton.

He opened his first restaurant, Ember, in Wellingborough in 2022. A live fire open kitchen venue that has received accolades such as OpenTable Top 100 Restaurants, Great Food Club Guides Restaurant of the Year, and Northampton Food and Drink Awards Restaurant of the Year. He expanded to a second site, The Four Pears in Little Houghton, in spring 2024. On top of his personal success, he is a proud mentor and ambassador for Moulton Colleges chef apprenticeship scheme. Having recently been accepted as a Master Chef of Great Britain, he hopes that the coming year brings greater opportunity to support and inspire the next generation