Chef Ryan McVay Wiki, Age, Great British Menu, Ethnicity
Ryan McVay Biography – Ryan McVay Wiki
Ryan McVay is an English chef, restaurateur and a contestant on Great British Menu (GBM) 2026. He is the founder and head chef at The Calabash Tree at Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland, the city’s first dedicated Trinidad & Tobago restaurant, showcasing the bold and vibrant flavours of his heritage.
Inspired by a gap he spotted at a 2015 street food event, Ryan set out to highlight the rich culinary traditions of his heritage, naming his business after the calabash tree native to the Caribbean.
Born in Washington, Ryan’s dual heritage – a Trinidadian mother and an English father who was a classically trained chef and catering lecturer – shaped his passion for food from an early age. After 14 years in the fire service, a career-ending injury pushed him to focus on cooking full-time.
Ryan built his reputation through street food events, pop-ups and a hugely popular lockdown weekend menu, championing authentic Caribbean flavours made with spices imported directly from the Caribbean. Alongside The Calabash Tree, he also developed Cove Caribbean, a sister concept offering a fusion menu with Caribbean influence.
In 2024, he opened his first sit-in restaurant at Sheepfolds Stables, serving signature Trinidadian dishes. Ryan’s impact on the Northern food scene has been widely recognised; he was recently named a finalist in the Be Inclusive Hospitality Awards 2025 in the Caribbean food category.
Ryan McVay Age
Chef Ryan McVay was born in July 1978 in Washington to a Trinidadian mother and an English father. He is 48 years old.
Ryan McVay Great British Menu
Sunderland chef Ryan McVay is a contestant on the BBC show Great British Menu series 21. He is among the regional chefs taking part in the North East & Yorkshire heats, alongside Jamie Keeble, Cal Byerley and Weike Zhao. Ryan’s menu celebrates North East Film talent, including Ridley Scott, and combines his love of film and Caribbean food.
Speaking about the experience, Ryan told the Sunderland Echo: “Being selected to represent the North East is something I’m really proud of. There’s so much talent in this region, so to be chosen is a huge honour. It pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, but it was an incredible experience and a chance to showcase Caribbean food on a national stage.”
Ryan McVay Nationality
He is of English nationality.
Ryan McVay Ethnicity
Ryan is of mixed ethnicity. He was born to a Trinidadian mother and an English father.
Ryan McVay’s Instagram handle is @the_calabash_tree.
