By Faye-Chantelle Mondesir
Internationally-accredited Celebrity Chef Orlando Satchelli s expressing his gratitude for those who supported his vision to have Caribbean cuisine globally recognised. He is the current award-holder for the ‘Caribbean Chef of the Year’ title, while his culinary establishment has been accredited as one of the Top Three in the Caribbean. Chef Orlando was voted as one of the best chefs in the Caribbean for 2018 and 2019 by Caribbean Journal and has now been recognised as proprietor of the only Caribbean restaurant to be observed as one of the best in the world by Travel & Leisure and Food & Wine. The Top Chef's culinary abode is the only Caribbean restaurant to be observed as one of the best in the world by the rated publication. The annual World’s Best Restaurants list — a collaboration between Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine, is a celebration of eateries around the world which best capture the spirit, culture and cuisine of their communities.
In 2019, Satchell was also honoured with a Gault Millau France 2019 award and as one of the top restaurants to dine at in Saint Lucia numerous times by Trip Advisor..The experienced chef deems these as major feats which he is humbled by — giving props to his mother as the main foundational contributor toward his success. He relishes fond memories of growing up observing her in full swing in the heart of the home, the kitchen — shopping around London exhibiting her impeccable bargaining skills in the bustling marketplaces.
In 1979, Chef Orlando commenced employment at a five-star hotel in Birmingham,
England. He was the first person of Afro-Caribbean descent employed with the resort. While engaged with the high-end hospitality team, he pursued college and certification of his skill. Satchell later gathered invaluable experience at several establishments within the United States, Singapore, Russia, Italy, and Malaysia dishing out tremendously tasty spreads.
The passionate master of the kitchen’s vision has always been to present Caribbean food to the world and position it on equal par with French, Asian and Chinese cuisine, giving it deserved global recognition and prestige. He has been pushing his Caribbean cuisine agenda to the fore for the better part of his life. Orlando has successfully established and managed restaurants in places like Singapore, Miami and London, steadfastly serving his signature brand of Caribbean food. His personal motto ‘Share the Love’ is evident in his exceptionally high restaurant food service standards and customer appreciation demonstrated through unceasing welcoming smiles and comradery. The English-born Chef initially travelled to Saint Lucia to conduct a two-week consultation after being invited by Berthia Parle to conduct an employee-training exercise at Bay Gardens Hotel and having fallen ‘in love’ with the island, has not since returned to reinhabit his British domain.
Having moved on from functioning as Ladera Hotel’s Dasheene Restaurant’s Executive Chef, which gained him indisputable favour with food patrons — the resourceful Chef has for the last 12 years operated his quaintly located restaurant base in the beautiful and historic twin-peak town of Soufrière. His dedicated customers value the Caribbean experience he offers, poised overlooking the sea and enthralled by the towering mountains with a deliberate view of exquisite Petite Piton — one of the world heritage pair which have highlighted Saint Lucia among the most beautiful vacation destinations on the global landscape. The restaurant is accessed through an arched gateway, perched in a courtyard with its own stately mango tree — both earning it that genuine Caribbean feel, while simultaneously marrying the natural flavours of the outdoors with sophisticated indoor dining.
In spite of ‘Celebrity-Chef’ status generated from his considerable international achievements, key global interactions and connections, Chef Orlando is one of the island's renown public and private food service providers with a keen focus on food preparation — utilising raw local and sustainable foods purchased directly from St. Lucian farmers, producers and fishermen. He maintains his authentic human flavour, believing in and consistently involving them, as well as the local community in both his vision and business processes — not only through buying their local produce, but also raising awareness of the major health benefits of the foods they collaboratively provide.
This brings to the table the unique ‘service with a difference’ his patrons have become attached to, in the form of fine, classy dining with an untainted local and cultural touch. The exquisite Orlando brand would be non-existent without the essence of the charming food guru himself, tirelessly exuding his warm, radiant yet flamboyant personality which connects him with his customers. His patrons steadily enjoy home-grown spreads created with fruit, vegetables, fish, lobster, pork among other delicious crowd-pleasers. Orlando’s specials such as roasted callaloo and pumpkin soup, mahi-mahi fritters, chicken in cassava crust, yellowfin tuna on grilled watermelon and creole bread are usually cleverly and creatively presented making use of the outer shell of vegetables, fruit and other raw meal items. The conscientious kitchen-lover lets nothing go to waste — recognising the entire food as a useful, valuable product.
In spite of all he has been privileged to execute thus far, Orlando continues on his culinary journey — with lots of interesting virtual events and in-house dining experiences on his adventurous agenda in the line of food. He offers the luxurious opportunity to enjoy his unique culinary 'Guest-Celebrity-Chef' experience, privately serving at venues and also extends his restaurant service to residential abodes. Savour this delightful food extravaganza of a lifetime on a special occasion, when you need a pick-me-upper or simply desire to be pampered with class. If you’re interested in exploring classic creative Caribbean dining with a difference and of course that unique international touch, call to make reservations at his flagship Soufriere restaurant located opposite the Beach Park in Soufriere. At Orlando’s it’s all about ‘Sharing The Love!’
Travel & Leisure and Food & Wine Award Sources:
These Are the World's Best Restaurants in 2020
This Quiet Town on St. Lucia’s West Coast Has Sulfur Springs, Forested Mountains and One of the World’s Best Restaurants
World's Best Restaurants 2020
Meet the Culinary Pros Who Nominated This Year’s World’s Best Restaurants
For the second annual World’s Best Restaurants from Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine, the publication team sought a network of chefs, food writers, world travellers, in addition to last year’s winners, along with their own editorial teams to nominate the restaurants which best reflect the spirit of their communities.
‘Before writer Besha Rodell set out on her journey to select the 2020 list of the World’s Best Restaurants, we here at Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine solicited nominations from a team of esteemed chefs, food journalists, and travel experts — our culinary panel — along with our own editorial teams and honorees from last year’s list. We asked these pros to consider the restaurants that feel the most singular, the places that best capture the energy and spirit of their locations. Ahead, the details on our panellists — plus select quotes from them on a few of this year’s winners.’
Saint Lucian-born Nina Compton was among the international panel of experts
Her review of Orlando’s Restaurant & Bar:
Nina Compton, chef-owner of Compère Lapin and Bywater American Bistro in New Orleans
“At Orlando’s, the experience is warm and inviting. Chef Orlando and his staff make you feel like you have known them for years, or like you’re dining in someone’s Creole home. His take on classic French dishes using local ingredients is mind-blowing. If you go during lobster season, you have hit the jackpot!” — Compton on 2020 World’s Best Restaurant Orlando’s in Soufrière, St. Lucia.
Look out for Chef Orlando's exclusive line of kitchen products including Orlando's Authentic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
Orlando’s Restaurant & Bar
Contact Information:
Restaurant & Reservations (758) 489-6211
Brand, Marketing & Communications Director
Faye-Chantelle Mondesir
Landline (758) 572 (1SOL) 1765
WhatsApp/ Message (758) 287-7000
At Orlando’s Restaurant & Bar,
sharing the love is always on the menu!