An award-winning Bermudian chef who has worked at some of Britain’s top hotels and restaurants is to team up with the Hamilton Princess Hotel as part of its Black History Month celebrations.

Jahdre Hayward, who will be Chef in Residence, will also create a special Black History Month dinner later this month.

The menu was drawn up with Martha Dismont, the founder and former director of Family Service, and Gary Phillips, the chairman of the Bermuda National Gallery, who are the hotel’s honourees for Black History Month.

Mr Hayward, who now owns his own restaurant in the UK, said: “I am honoured to be coming home to Bermuda for such a special occasion.

“The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is an icon of Bermuda and I can’t think of anywhere better to serve up my first meal on the island since I was a boy.

“The Black History Month celebration events are a great way to embrace the local culture and celebrate the successes of our fellow islanders.”

Mr Hayward will also join forces with the Hamilton Princess’s sous chef Richard Zuill to tour island farms and food producers to source the raw materials for a “Back to Roots” dinner.

Mr Zuill said: “It’s been a privilege to work with Jahdre Hayward in the run up to the Black History Month events.

“He’s a great role model for young Bermudians who are interested in careers in the kitchen and I know that our kitchen team are looking forward to learning as much from him as possible during his residency.”

Shawn Lekki, the director of food & beverage at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, added: “The menu that he, Martha Dismont and Gary Phillips have come up with for the Black History Month dinner is phenomenal and I think it’s going to be a night to remember.”

Mr Hayward was brought up by his grandparents in Bermuda before he moved to the US to live with his aunt and uncle at the age of 15.

His career started at prestigious Savoy hotel in London, where he worked his way up to chef de partie.

Mr Hayward has also worked at restaurants and hotels such as Rules, the oldest restaurant in London, the Oxo Tower, Novelli in the City and The Ritz hotel.

He met his now wife, Amanda, in London and their culinary careers took them to Australia where they remained for six years before they returned to the UK to open Haywards in Epping, Essex in 2013.

Haywards has won several accolades, including 3 Automobile Association rosettes in 2019.

The five course Black History Month celebration dinner will be held on February 25

Tickets to the event are $119, with a wine pairing available for an additional $60.

The Back to Roots dinner, to be held on February 26, is limited to 30 people and tickets are $84 each for the three course, family-style dinner.

A wine pairing is also available for an additional $60 and will feature Black-owned vineyards.

Members of the public can follow the chefs’ tour of the island on Instagram at @HappeningsAtThePrincess.

The hotel’s Sunday brunch will take on an “Afro Beats” theme in February and a special brunch on February 27 will include some of Mr Hayward’s signature dishes.

Mr Hayward, who owns Hayward’s in Epping, Essex, near London, will also host the event in person and will be available to talk to guests.

Some of the proceeds from the hotel’s Black History Month events will be donated to charities picked by Ms Dismont and Ms Phillips.

Mr Dismont chose the Family Centre and Mr Phillips opted for the Bermuda College Foundation.

Tickets for all the events be bought by e-mail to Ham.DiningReservations@Fairmont.com or by phone at 298-2028.