8 min read

Tom Kerridge: Chef Profile

Discover Tom Kerridge's journey transforming British pub food into Michelin starred cuisine with his modern techniques and passion for wellbeing.

Tom Kerridge smiling in a professional kitchen with modern British dishes

Listen to this Article:

0:00

0:00

Tom Kerridge Chef Profile: Key Takeaways

Modern British Influence: Tom Kerridge transformed pub food into Michelin starred haute cuisine with his innovative techniques.

Culinary Education: He trained at a catering college in Cheltenham, sharpening skills at leading kitchens like the Capital Hotel and Rhodes in the Square.

Renowned Restaurants: The Hand & Flowers and The Coach are iconic spots that earned multiple Michelin stars, defining his legacy.

Tom Kerridge is a leading British Chef who transformed pub food into Michelin starred cuisine. Known for hearty modern British dishes and a warm teaching style, he blends technique with comforting flavors and a clear focus on seasonality and wellbeing.

Tom Kerridge's Formal Culinary Training

Born in Salisbury in 1973 and raised in Gloucestershire, Tom Kerridge discovered cooking young, often preparing meals for his family. After a brief interest in acting he chose a culinary path, training at a catering college in Cheltenham and starting as a commis at Calcot Manor in 1991.

He refined his skills working under leading chefs, including positions at the Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge and as Sous Chef at Rhodes in the Square. Kerridge went on to lead kitchens such as Adlards in Norwich, gaining experience in fine dining before opening his own venues.

Born27 July 1973, Salisbury, England
CuisineModern British
Notable RestaurantsThe Hand & Flowers; The Coach; Kerridge's Bar & Grill; The Bull & Bear; The Butcher's Tap
SignatureElevated pub food, seasonal British ingredients
oysterlink logo decor
OysterLink Logo
man and woman suits

The Fastest Growing
Restaurant & Hospitality Job Platform

Looking for top paid jobs? Or Hiring for your business?


man and woman suits

Tom Kerridge Restaurants & Businesses

Tom Kerridge built a reputation by reimagining the gastropub and focusing on outstanding produce and precise technique.

  1. The Hand & Flowers (2005) – The flagship in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. It earned a Michelin star in 2006 and a second in 2012, becoming the first pub to hold two Michelin stars.
  2. The Coach (2014) – Also in Marlow, this pub continued Kerridge's focus on elevated comfort food and earned a Michelin star.
  3. The Butcher's Tap (2017) – A traditional butcher and deli concept in Marlow showcasing high quality meat and in house butchery.
  4. Kerridge’s Bar & Grill (2018) – Located in the Corinthia Hotel London, combining relaxed service with refined British cooking.
  5. The Bull & Bear (2019) – Situated in Manchester's Stock Exchange Hotel, bringing Kerridge's style to a vibrant urban audience.

Tom Kerridge's Other Ventures

Kerridge expanded beyond restaurants into television, publishing, cookery events and wellbeing projects.

  • Cookbooks: Titles include Proper Pub Food, Tom Kerridge’s Best Ever Dishes, Tom’s Table, Tom Kerridge’s Dopamine Diet, Lose Weight for Good, and Tom Kerridge’s Fresh Start.
  • Retail and Pop Ups: He has launched pop up concepts and shop collaborations, and curated seasonal menus that emphasize traceable British produce.
  • Wellbeing Work: Through the Dopamine Diet and public discussions about health, Kerridge has advocated for sustainable, enjoyable weight loss and better relationship with food.

Tom Kerridge Shows

Kerridge is a familiar face on British television, combining practical instruction with warm presentation.

  • Great British Menu – Regular contributor and judge, celebrating regional British cooking.
  • MasterChef and Saturday Kitchen – Frequent guest and mentor, bringing restaurant techniques to home cooks.
  • Bake Off: Crème de la Crème – Host of the pastry focused series.
  • Food and Drink – Co presenter on BBC Two, exploring produce and producers across the UK.
oysterlink logo decor
OysterLink Logo
man and woman suits

The Fastest Growing
Restaurant & Hospitality Job Platform

Looking for top paid jobs? Or Hiring for your business?


man and woman suits

Tom Kerridge Awards and Accolades

Kerridge's achievements are notable for both culinary excellence and broad public recognition.

  • Michelin Stars
    • The Hand & Flowers: One star (2006), Two stars (2012)
    • The Coach: One star
  • Industry Recognition
    • Acclaimed for elevating pub food into fine dining and for mentorship within the British culinary scene.

Tom Kerridge Personal Life

Tom Kerridge is married to sculptor Beth Cullen Kerridge. The couple live near Marlow and have a child, Acey, born in 2015. Kerridge is a lifelong Manchester United fan and holds a season ticket for Marlow F.C.

Kerridge has been candid about his health journey, losing around 12 stone over several years through swimming, diet changes and the principles later formalized in his Dopamine Diet. He speaks openly about wellbeing and the role of joy in eating.

Tom Kerridge Family and Friends

Raised in Gloucestershire after his parents separated, Tom often cooked for his younger brother and mother. That early domestic cooking shaped his approachable style. His partnership with Beth has also influenced his public work and the design of several restaurant projects.

He is active in community events in Marlow and regularly supports charity dinners and local food initiatives.

Tom Kerridge Chef Profile: Conclusion

Tom Kerridge redefined what a pub can be by combining meticulous technique with a love of comforting British flavors. His restaurants, books and TV work have made fine dining more accessible while promoting better health and enjoyment around food.

From The Hand & Flowers to national television and bestselling cookbooks, Kerridge remains a leading voice in modern British cooking, championing quality ingredients, training and a humane approach to hospitality.

Tom Kerridge FAQs

Tom Kerridge is renowned for modern British cuisine, especially elevating traditional pub food to Michelin-star level.

He trained at a catering college in Cheltenham and gained experience at notable kitchens such as the Capital Hotel and Rhodes in the Square.

His flagship restaurant, The Hand & Flowers, holds two Michelin stars and was the first pub to earn this distinction.

Yes, Kerridge has appeared on shows like Great British Menu, MasterChef, Saturday Kitchen, and hosts Bake Off: Crème de la Crème.

Developed by Tom Kerridge, the Dopamine Diet focuses on sustainable weight loss and promoting a healthy relationship with food.

Share Your Experience
Every comment adds to the collective know-how of our industry.

Loading comments...