From prison to the kitchen: How cooking gave me a second chance

Nathaniel Mortley known online as "Natty Can Cook" grew up in Peckham, South-East London. He was raised in a Caribbean family where cooking was second nature.

At 16 years old, his life changed forever when he was caught in a postcode war after dating a girl from a rival area of London. Natty was stabbed, and the once happy-go-lucky teen was physically and emotionally scarred. Now carrying a weapon, dealing drugs and getting into trouble with the police, Natty's family worried about where his life was heading.

However, a spell working in his aunt's cake shop and a college course studying hospitality offered an escape. Throwing himself into work in professional kitchens, Natty rose quickly through London's fine dining scene. 

But relentless high pressure, and racist jokes from some colleagues, meant Natty lost his passion for cooking. Instead, he began risking everything by selling drugs to other kitchen workers, and it wasn't long before his operation came crashing down. Since prison, he's turned his life around, and now cooks online as 'Natty Can Cook'. In September 2025 he opened Pan-Caribbean restaurant, 2210, which has become the first Caribbean restaurant based in Europe to be included in the Michelin guide.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar 

Producer: Tommy Dixon

 Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp 44 330 678 2707

 (Photo: Natty is young man standing in front of a bar with shelves full of alcohol. He is wearing a green full zip short sleeved shirt)