Chef Noel Cunningham

ine, The JamaicanEats Magazine and food expert at Toronto Caribbean Newspaper. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Noel was influenced at a young age by his mother Jennifer Laidley and aunt Miriam Reid who is a professional chef and baker. His culinary journey began in high school when he did Food and Nutrition which developed his love for the Culinary Arts. He continued his education at Runaway Bay HEART Hotel and Training Institute in Jamaica. He has been working in the hospitality industry since the age of nineteen in some of the leading Hotels, in the island’s tourist mecca as a certified chef de partie, which propelled him onto the “Culinary Catwalk.”

Despite working as the head chef for several acclaimed restaurants in Jamaica, it was at Mantra, at age 21 where he truly honed his skill as Head chef/restaurant manager. It wouldn’t be long before Chef Noel made a name for himself in Jamaica. In 2013 Chef Noel brought his international experience and his unique culinary flair to some of Manitoba’s finest hotels while working as their Executive chef including the Burntwood Hotel in Thompson, and the Viscount Gort Hotel in Winnipeg. Since then Chef Noel has actively caters to special events, private dining, interactive demonstrations and cooking classes, and is involved in restaurant consultations. He continues to shine as a rising star, being recognized locally and internationally for his culinary skills. He has an undeniable ability to attract an audience, which has led to numerous features in print publications, television, and radio shows in Canada, Jamaica, Barbados, Japan, Italy, Iceland and the United States. He was recognized as a champion of the brand Jamaica in the Culinary Arts by the Prime Minister Youth Awards, as well as a nominee for Winnipeg’s best chef in 2018. He was also voted by ByBlacks Magazine for Canada’s Best Chef for 2019-2020 and in 2020-2021 Best Chef, Caterer and Podcast and in 2022 He won Best Baker and Best Restaurant.