LEVI ROOTS – The dragon slayer armed with a guitar and a jar of Reggae Reggae sauce.

Liverpool Food and Drink Festival 7/9/13

On Saturday afternoon in a crowded marquee in Sefton Park , in excess of three hundred foodies gathered to meet the icon that is Levi Roots at the Liverpool food & drink festival. The crowd eagerly anticipated the arrival of the rags to riches success story and the excitement of the myriad was palpable.



Whilst the weather was characteristically unpredictable delivering an eclectic mix of sunshine and heavy showers, the ambience in the marquee was aglow with sunshine and light as Levi made his entrance to the stage armed with his guitar and an enormous smile.

The fabulous Nisha Katona – curry evangelist introduced the cookery star to the stage referring to him as the dragon slayer who won over the hearts of the Dragons on the show Dragons Den by securing an investment of £50,000 for a 40% share in his business. That momentous deal back in 2007 ultimately changed his life.



After the brief introduction, he sang the song that catapulted him to wealth and stardom – his signature “Reggae Reggae Sauce”. Much to the delight of his audience he beckoned them to provide accompaniment. He charismatically engaged with the crowd immediately and roars of laughter filled the tent like sprinklings of seasoning.



Levi singing his signature song "Reggae Reggae Sauce". Photography by Shazney Spence

Roots stood taller than I had anticipated. He was tall and imposing but in no way intimidating. He explained the part that Rastafarianism played in his style of cookery; explaining Ital dietary requirements of the Rastafarian religion. Foods natural, pure and from the earth underpin Ital culinary delights.



Adorned with rings on virtually every finger, the star ceremonially “de-blinged” before he started to cook. He talked in depth about his Dragons den experience before preparing a dish of Smoked fish Chokka seasoned with... yes you’ve guessed it – Reggae Reggae sauce.



He joked that his birth name is actually Keith (Keith Valentine Graham Bilal Musa) to be precise. He knew that in order to impress the dragons he would need a name with a better ring to it. He compared himself to other Keith’s who he felt were synonymous with success; namely Keith Moon – famous musician, Keith Richards, singer songwriter and then he remembered Keith Chegwin who to him was on the opposite end of the success spectrum! This proved to the obvious deal breaker; he changed his name and Levi Roots was born.

Levi explained that he entered Dragons den as himself – no airs or graces, stating “you can only play yourself the best” Despite his fame, Roots remains grounded and still lives in the same flat in Brixton. When Nisha Katona questioned him as to why this was he replied that he felt that he had a role to play in Brixton. He wants to be present for the young people of Brixton. Critics may disagree with this stance and argue that Roots could still have a presence but be a more aspirational role model if he were to leave the humble beginnings from whence he came.

The youngest of 6 children who was raised by his beloved grandma before immigrating to Britain, he explained how he was taught to cook by her. He was the last of his siblings to leave Jamaica and he sadly never saw his grandmother again. Roots paid homage to his matriarchal figure and expressed gratitude to her for teaching him the recipe for the sauce – his inheritance!

A family man with seven children and seven grandchildren Levi Roots is passionate about being a mentor and role model. Music and food are clear passions for the star and he is happy with his lot in life. His vision is to educate others on the vastness of Caribbean cooking. The multi- millionaire reggae musician, TV personality, celebrity chef and businessman clearly has many strings to his bow. Watch this space for new offerings from this amiable chap.

#LiverpoolLive #LeviRoots #LiverpoolFoodAndDrinkFestival #LFDF #ReggaeReggae #NishaKatona #DragonsDen

Levi Roots signs autographs for excited fans - Photography by Shazney Spence

Nisha Katona discusses caribbean cuisine with Levi Roots. Photography by Shazney Spence.

Levi cooking smoked fish chokka. Photography by Shazney Spence