About Dev

Dev Biswal grew up in Calcutta. He trained at the Dubai Sheraton, before moving to London, aged 26 in 2003 for spells at Mangoes and Eriki restaurants. Following an accidental visit to Kent, Dev instantly fell in love with the county. “Sprawling fields and meadows, the coast, the fresh air and cosmopolitan culture. Quality of life takes a different form in Kent. I would not live any where else in the world” says Dev.

Dev is passionate about cuisine from the Indian sub-continent and in order to promote authentic Asian cuisine to fine dining and gourmet status in the UK, he opened The Indian Princess in Margate which quickly became highly acclaimed, with features in the Michelin Guide alongside other top restaurant guides. Biswal uses a delicate blend of flavours and spices to create his unique culinary art, using traditional recipes from India.

Dev continues to take inspiration from the fresh local produce in Kent, saying “It is magically hidden from the rest of the world like a lot of other secrets of the county. Being a chef, I get fired up by freshness of ingredients. I have worked around the world and seen and experienced produce from several countries. I am fiercely passionate about produce from our coasts and our county.”

In order to distance itself from traditional High Street curry houses, Dev has now refurbished and rebranded the restaurant as The Ambrette, named after the Indian flower known for its culinary and aphrodisiac properties. Offering gourmet Indian dining, The Ambrette does not serve curry, although you will find pork on the menu – something almost unknown in the UK's 10,000 predominantly Bangladeshi-owned south Asian establishments.  The short, eclectic, daily changing menu features exotic treats such as the Fillet of Freshwater Nile perch, plus, of course, locally sourced game and seafood.

Dev Biswal is also a director of Quex Park, with responsibility for catering.  Quex House in 1800 acres of countryside in Birchington, is home to the Powell-Cotton Museum.  The museum has a large banqueting hall and marquee set in the landscaped gardens, on which Biswal has already made his mark.  The banqueting hall has been redecorated to create a warmer, more welcoming atmosphere, and the new menu is quintessentially English – traditional dishes, with a contemporary fine dining twist, using local meats and vegetables plus herbs grown in the Quex gardens.

Try some of Dev’s mouth-watering food at www.theambrette.co.uk or www.quexpark.co.uk