If you’ve scrolled past a vibrant plate of Caribbean food on Instagram and wondered who’s behind it, you’ve likely landed on Shivi Ramoutar. She’s a chef, broadcaster, and author who traded a law career for a life in food, bringing Trinidadian flavours to British kitchens.
Birthplace: Trinidad ·
Profession: Chef, broadcaster, author ·
Spouse: Jimmy Doherty ·
Children: At least one ·
Website: shiviramoutar.com
Quick snapshot
- Born in Trinidad, based in London (BBC Food)
- Chef, broadcaster, and author (BI Hospitality)
- Founder of Island Girl Kitchen (BBC Food)
- Contemporary Caribbean cooking (BBC Food)
- Twists on classic Trinidadian dishes (Olive Magazine)
- Featured on BBC Food and BBC Good Food (BBC Food)
- Regular recipes on BBC Food (BBC Food)
- Contributor to BBC Good Food (BBC Food)
- Active on Instagram as @shiviramoutar (BBC Food)
- Married to Jimmy Doherty (TV farmer) (Bishop Auckland Food Festival)
- Mother of at least one child (Bishop Auckland Food Festival)
- Private about age and exact family details (Bishop Auckland Food Festival)
The central facts about Shivi Ramoutar are summarized below.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shivi Ramoutar |
| Birthplace | Trinidad |
| Profession | Chef, broadcaster, author |
| Spouse | Jimmy Doherty |
| Children | At least one (mother) |
| Website | shiviramoutar.com |
| @shiviramoutar | |
| Notable For | Contemporary Caribbean cooking, BBC Food recipes |
Is Shivi Ramoutar Indian?
Shivi Ramoutar was born in Trinidad, a Caribbean nation with a large Indo-Trinidadian population. Her surname—Ramoutar—is common among people of Indian descent in the region. However, no major source explicitly states her ethnic background. The BBC Food (UK public broadcaster) profile notes she was born in Trinidad and makes Caribbean dishes from her childhood, but does not specify her ethnicity.
How old is Shivi Ramoutar?
Her exact age is not publicly confirmed. No reliable source—BBC Food, her own website, or leading news outlets—lists her birth date. Given she left a law career to pursue food (as reported by the Law Gazette (legal trade publication)), and reached the quarter-finals of MasterChef in 2013 (according to an interview with The Gannet (food interview platform)), she is likely in her 30s or 40s, but this remains unverified.
What is Shivi Ramoutar’s height?
No official source provides her height. It is not mentioned in her BBC profile, her website, or any verified media appearance.
Who is Shivi Ramoutar’s father?
Her father’s name is not available from any major source. She has not publicly discussed her parents in detail.
The implication: readers should treat any speculative claims about her ethnicity or personal background with caution, as the public record is deliberately sparse.
How many children does Shivi Ramoutar have?
Shivi Ramoutar’s Instagram biography describes her as “Mum”, confirming she has at least one child. The Bishop Auckland Food Festival (UK food event) profile states she lives with her husband and three children. However, no other major source—BBC Food, her website, or interviews—corroborates the number three. Given the festival’s authority as a local event organiser, that claim is treated as medium confidence.
The names, ages, and genders of her children are not publicly documented. She shares occasional glimpses on social media but does not post identifying details.
The discrepancy between “three children” (Bishop Auckland Food Festival) and the general “Mum” bio means readers should treat the exact count as unconfirmed until Shivi herself or a primary source clarifies.
The pattern: the lack of official confirmation suggests that family details are carefully guarded, matching her overall approach to privacy.
Are Jimi and Shivi married?
Yes, Shivi Ramoutar is married to Jimmy Doherty, best known as the farmer and presenter of Jimmy’s Farm. Their marriage is publicly acknowledged: they co-hosted the Channel 4 series Jimmy and Shivi’s Farmhouse Breakfast, which was commissioned for a third season beginning in January 2026 (Bishop Auckland Food Festival). She has appeared on his shows and he appears on her social media.
Who owns Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park?
Jimmy Doherty owns Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park in Suffolk. The venue is a working farm, wildlife park, and food destination. Shivi Ramoutar is not listed as an owner; her work is separate from the farm’s operations.
What this means: Shivi’s media appearances often tie to Jimmy’s ventures, but she maintains a distinct career identity centered on Caribbean cooking.
Who is Jamie Oliver’s best friend?
Jimmy Doherty has long been described as Jamie Oliver’s best friend. The pair grew up together in Clavering, Essex, and Oliver was best man at Doherty’s wedding (to Shivi Ramoutar). Their friendship is well documented and professional—they co-hosted Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast and Jamie and Jimmy’s Cafe.
Is Jamie and Jimmy’s Cafe still open?
No. The cafe, located in Southend-on-Sea, closed in 2020. In a BBC Food (UK public broadcaster) article, Jamie Oliver confirmed the closure, citing the impact of the pandemic.
Who was Jamie Oliver’s first wife?
Jamie Oliver has been married only once—to Jools Oliver (née Norton). They wed in 2000. There is no “first wife” in the sense of a prior marriage; Jools is his sole spouse.
Shivi Ramoutar is connected to Jamie Oliver through her husband Jimmy Doherty, Oliver’s lifelong friend. That link has shaped her media visibility but doesn’t define her independent career.
The catch: while the Oliver connection opens doors, Shivi’s reputation rests on her own culinary work and television appearances.
What was Jamie Oliver’s downfall?
Jamie Oliver’s restaurant empire collapsed in 2019 when his UK restaurant group entered administration, closing 22 restaurants and costing around 1,000 jobs. The Law Gazette (legal trade publication) reported the event as a major business failure. He has since rebuilt a smaller portfolio, including a few remaining sites in the UK and international franchises.
How many restaurants does Jamie Oliver still own?
As of 2025, Jamie Oliver owns a handful of restaurants. His current holdings include Jamie’s Italian (in select locations) and a partnership in the UK’s Fifteen. Exact numbers fluctuate; the BBC Food (UK public broadcaster) notes he has shrunk his business but continues to operate.
Do Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver get along?
The two celebrity chefs have a professional rivalry rather than a public feud. Neither has made overtly hostile statements; their competition plays out in cookbook sales and TV ratings, not personal animosity.
The implication: Shivi’s career trajectory is unaffected by Oliver’s business setbacks; she continues to build her own brand.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born in Trinidad (BBC Food)
- Married to Jimmy Doherty (Bishop Auckland Food Festival)
- Has at least one child (Instagram bio “Mum”)
- Active chef with BBC Food recipes (BBC Food)
- Founder of Island Girl Kitchen (BBC Food)
- Left a law career to pursue food (Law Gazette)
What’s unclear
- Exact age
- Number of children (three per one source, unconfirmed)
- Height
- Father’s name
- Date of marriage
- Any previous marriages
“Island Girl London via Trinidad Founder @islandgirl.kitchen 🌶️ Chef|Broadcaster|Mum|Pianist|Explorer.”
— Shivi Ramoutar, Instagram bio
“Shivi Ramoutar makes Caribbean dishes and ingredients from her childhood into fresh, easy-to-make recipes.”
— BBC Food (UK public broadcaster)
What’s striking is how much of Shivi’s life remains private despite a public career. For a chef who regularly appears on TV and social media, the gaps are notable. The lack of a Wikipedia page or detailed biography means curious readers must rely on scattered sources—and accept that some facts simply aren’t available.
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Frequently asked questions
What type of cuisine does Shivi Ramoutar specialize in?
Contemporary Caribbean cooking with Trinidadian roots, often bringing a modern twist to classic dishes (BBC Food).
Does Shivi Ramoutar have a cookbook?
Yes, her first cookbook is Caribbean Modern: Recipes from the Rum Islands (BBC Food).
Has Shivi Ramoutar appeared on television?
She has appeared on Saturday Kitchen, James Martin’s Saturday Mornings, This Morning, and Jimmy and Shivi’s Farmhouse Breakfast (Bishop Auckland Food Festival).
Where can I find Shivi Ramoutar’s recipes?
On BBC Food, BBC Good Food, Tesco Real Food, and her own website shiviramoutar.com.
What is the Island Girl Kitchen?
Her brand and platform for Caribbean-inspired food, founded to share her culinary heritage (BBC Food).
Is Shivi Ramoutar related to Jamie Oliver?
No, she is not related. She is married to Jimmy Doherty, who is Jamie Oliver’s best friend.
Where does Shivi Ramoutar currently live?
She lives in London (Bishop Auckland Food Festival).
Does Shivi Ramoutar own a restaurant?
No public information suggests she owns a restaurant. She works as a chef, broadcaster, and food writer.
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Shivi Ramoutar remains a private figure in many respects, but her public career as a Caribbean chef continues to grow.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.