About Levi Roots
1958
Humble Beginnings
Levi’s story begins in a tiny little village in Clarendon, Jamaica. As a young boy, Levi helped his grandmother in the kitchen. She taught him the secrets and subtleties of mixing Caribbean flavours, herbs and spices. During this time, Levi also discovered his love for music at the church his grandmother sung at.
1970's
Life in London
While Levi lived with his grandparents in Jamaica his parents were in Brixton working hard so that Levi and his five older siblings could move to England. Every year they would send for another child from the eldest to the youngest. Eventually it was Levi’s turn to leave Jamaica.
In London Levi went to school for the first time and also visited the Notting Hill Carnival,
“I loved the music, the food, the colours.”
Little did he know that he would later have his own stall at the festival selling the Reggae Reggae Sauce that would make him his fortune!
2006
Dragon Slayer
In 2006, Levi was spotted at the World Food Market by a BBC researcher and invited to appear on the programme Dragons’ Den. Levi had never even heard of the show, and went home to his kids asking them what Dragons’ Den was. They begged him not to appear saying; Dad, don’t go on that show, they’ll just tear you to pieces!
Although he was doubtful about the programme, Levi’s mother encouraged him to come back as a ‘Dragon Slayer’. Levi put his faith in Reggae Reggae Sauce to win over those fiery Dragons.
2007
Hitting The Shelves
The sauce was an instant hit. In exchange for a 40% stake in his business, he secured the support of millionaire ‘Dragons’, Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh for £50,000. Peter Jones helped to get the sauce listed by Sainsbury’s, turning the dream into a reality.
Levi’s success has been nothing short of a whirlwind and he has even been invited by Prime Ministers to no.10 in recognition of his notable success as a black man in Britain attaining financial achievement through enterprise. Levi equates his success to putting himself into the product.
“I will never forget that little paradise Content (in Jamaica) and my saintly grandmother, who helped to make me the success I am now.”
2010
Spreading The Word
Levi’s main focus has been to promote the Reggae Reggae brand and the message it symbolizes. ‘I want to spread the word that if a black Brixtonian Rastafarian can make it with just a sauce, then you can make it too.’
The Levi Roots range continues to grow with Caribbean inspired cooking sauces, ready meals, soft drinks, desserts and more. Numerous high profile restaurant chains have signed deals with Levi to use the sauce on their menus including Wetherspoons and other high street franchises
In 2008, Levi hosted his debut TV series ‘Caribbean Food Made Easy’ in which he aimed to make the vibrant tastes and healthy ingredients of Caribbean food more accessible, and it was accompanied by his iconic book of the same name.
As well as cooking, Levi continued to fulfill his passion for credible roots music by releasing his studio album ‘Red Hot’ with its catchy summer single ‘So Out Of My Mind’, in 2009.
2019
Levi felt incredibly privileged to made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) for his continued contribution to entrepreneurship and food.
Professor Jo Price, VC of the RAU said “ Levi Roots is a visionary, a leader whose contribution to society and duty of service go hand in hand with his professional success. He is an inspirational role model for our students and we are delighted to welcome him to our community of Honorary Fellows”
2019
Levi Roots the Movie
Levi was delighted to be approached by the amazing writer- producers Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft who want to make a film about Levi’s life story. A real life rags to riches tale which will follow Levi’s story from a poor young boy in Jamaica with no formal education to being thrust into life in the Uk, age 11. The rest is history as they say!
2020
A long time ambassador for the Prince’s Trust. Levi is often asked to attend the annual awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace to present the hard earned awards alongside attending other events throughout the year.
Levi is very happy to give his time to this amazing charity that supports young people get their lives on track.
2021
June 4th
June 4th Levi joins up with The Scouts and The NCS for a BB-Thank-you as part of the UK’s biggest ever thank you party, as local communities, members of the public, celebrities, politicians and more take part in the country’s first ever national Thank You Day.
2021
Levi Roots is appointed Chair of St.Pauls Carnival, Bristol
“Carnival culture has always been central to my experience and business – it’s the perfect blend of music and food – two things I am very passionate about,”
