Michelin-trained chef overcomes cardiac emergency to help launch viral Pontefract cafe

When Kieran Smith, otherwise known as Chef Kez, survived a life-threatening aortic dissection, everything changed for him.

But rather than stepping back, the Michelin-trained chef turned the terrifying experience into motivation to continue his career in the culinary industry.

Now, he’s helping to further Pontefract’s latest hotspot - a cafe and pilates place that has become one of the town’s most viral destinations.

Discovering his love of food in his family kitchen, Castleford-born Kez went on to work in a restaurant straight after finishing school.

Since then, the head chef and creator of the food menu at Fract trained and worked at numerous prestigious fine-dining and acclaimed restaurants including the Michelin-star-receiving Yorke Arms, located in North Yorkshire.

However, eight years ago, his career in the culinary industry was put on hold when he had an aortic dissection.

A tear had formed in his aorta which meant he had to have emergency open-heart surgery.

Kez was told he had a five percent chance of living, with him even saying goodbye to his family as doctors said that he “probably wouldn’t survive.”

He underwent another open-heart surgery less than nine days later, which led to various complications.

“I’d said goodbye to my family and then I just woke up not knowing what was going on.” Kez said.

“It hit me quite hard and the recovery was so long, I had a year off work.

“I pretty much spent three months not really being able to do anything and then I spent so long just walking the dog every day, trying to get my strength back.”

Despite the prolonged recovery, Kaz faced the challenge, with help from his family, and soon found himself back in the kitchen.

Earlier this year, he reached out to Bradley Sutcliffe, after seeing a brand new head chef job advertised on social media.

Owner of Fract Brad said: “At first I was a bit skeptical when I first got a message from him!

“But he came down to meet me, we had a chat and he was the perfect fit.”

Five months later, the job has allowed Chef Kez to maintain a better work/life balance, which his previous jobs did not allow for.

“It’s not as intense or as stressful as working in a Michelin star place, and I have a lot more freedom.” Kez said.

“I do put so much into it, though, behind the scenes, working out what would go well and how we keep really high standards.

“My goal has always been to create stuff that tastes nice and looks pretty.”

Since opening, his menu at Fract has drawn large crowds and rave reviews from food critics and influencers like MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Chef Jono Hawthorne.

Beyond Chef Kez's kitchen, Fract also operates as a multi-space venue, with a reformer pilates studio also inside the building.

Owner Brad said: “This place is a dream come true.

“The feedback that we've had from the food to the coffee has been nothing but great.

“I’m really proud of the whole team.”