Omari McQueen, a vegan chef described as the UK’s youngest restaurateur, learned to cook aged seven to help his parents after his mother was diagnosed with chronic migraines.

After expanding his cooking knowledge by watching YouTube recipe videos, McQueen started his own cooking YouTube channel and launched his vegan dip and snack range, Dipalicious, aged just eight, catching the attention of news outlets including ITV News and BBC Radio. Now aged 11, McQueen has just completed his very first plant-based Caribbean food pop-up in Croydon’s BoxPark, where he was given a rent-free space after impressing Boxpark owner Roger Wade with his dedication. The aspiring restaurateur is hoping to set up a more permanent space soon despite not yet having formally started secondary school yet.