Hampton Court: The Chefs
SEE THE CHEFS THEATRE TIMETABLE HERE
Jason Atherton
London, W1K 6JP
www.gordonramsay.com
Jason will be opening his signature restaurant in Mayfair in late September this year. Until recently Jason was executive chef at Gordon Ramsay's maze restaurants. He was the first British chef to complete an internship at Spain's famous El Bulli restaurant, under Ferran Adrià. He has worked under Pierre Koffman and Gordon Ramsay. maze marked an exciting opportunity in Jason’s career to take centre stage, in addition to winning a Michelin star, the opening 18 months saw maze win an unprecedented number of awards including Best New Restaurant at the Time Out Eating and Drinking Awards and Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year at the Harpers and Queen Restaurant Awards. The success of maze led to new maze restaurants launched worldwide. Jason celebrates the launch of his second book "Gourmet Food for a Fiver" at Foodies.
Nadia Sawalha
Author ‘Stuffed Vine Leaves Saved My Life’
Celebrity Masterchef winner Nadia Sawalha's shares her favorite Middle Eastern recipes in her first cookbook “Stuffed Vine Leaves Saved My Life”. Growing up in an in an Anglo-Arab home, where large family gatherings centred around enjoying good food has had great influence on the recipes. The extremely popular actress and television presenter has been adored over the years on programmes including Eastenders and Loose Women. Nadia has become one of the warmest and likable faces of TV. In 2007 Nadia won Celebrity Masterchef, which led to her first cookery series on BBC 2, Eating in the Sun. This year Nadia will be presenting and judging Junior Masterchef and the new BBC series, Instant Restaurant.
Sanjay Dwivedi
Zaika
London W8 5NP
www.zaika-restaurant.co.uk
Sanjay is Chef Parton of Zaika and currently appearing in Channel 4’s Iron Chef. Leaving South India for London to complete a course in Hotel Management, Sanjay developed a passion for cooking and soon worked in some of London’s finest kitchens. Honing his craft and understanding of the strict disciplines of classic French techniques and combining this with his innate knowledge of the application of Indian species, he soon developed a signature style. Sanjay has worked as chef consultant at the Soneva Fushi Resort in the Maldives, then as touring chef with The Rolling Stones. Returning to London to open Zaika, which was one of the first Indian restaurants to gain a Michelin star. Since then he has added to his global experience at Tabla in New York and as chef consultant for both the opening of Tantra in Los Angeles and then at Tanzore in Beverley Hills.
Tiffany Goodall
Author 'From Pasta to Pancakes'
www.tiffanygoodall.co.uk
Rising star Tiffany's love of cooking began at an early age, she went on to successfully complete a cookery course at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Tiffany took inspiration from her own personal experiences at university to create her first best selling book "Pasta to Pancakes" and her second book will be published Summer 2010 "The First Flat Cookbook." Tiffany appears regularly on TV with guest appearances on BBC Market Kitchen and she presents and demonstrates at Food Festivals and culinary events throughout the UK including the Ideal Home Show and BBC Good Food Shows. Tiffany will be the MC of Foodies Chefs Theatres, as well as demonstrating herself.
Jun Tanaka
Pearl Restaurant
London WC1V 7EN
www.pearl-restaurant.com
Born in the US to Japanese parents, Jun has headed up the kitchen at Pearl since it opened in 2004. The restaurant has gained an excellent reputation for its modern French cuisine. Having started at Le Gavroche, Jun spent the next ten years working with some of London’s best chefs in seven top Michelin star restaurants, where he perfected the art of fine French cuisine including Chez Nico, The Capital, The Square and Les Saveurs. He also worked under Marco Pierre White at both The Restaurant Marco Pierre White and The Oak Room. Jun regularly appears on culinary programmes such as Saturday Kitchen and Celebrity Masterchef. In May 2009, Jun launched his first recipe book, “Simple to Sensational”.
Paul Merrett
The Victoria
London SW14 7RT
www.thevictoria.net
Paul is chef and joint proprietor of The Victoria pub, dining room and hotel. Paul spent the first three years of his career as an apprentice chef at the Ritz, before training with many of the capitals top chefs including Peter Kromberg at Le Soufflé and Gary Rhodes at The Greenhouse in Mayfair, where he was awarded a Michelin star. Paul opened gastropub The Farm in 2005, then The Victoria in 2008. Paul has presented a number of BBC food series including BBC Two’s Ever Wondered About Food, and The Best and the popular Economy Gastronomy in autumn 2009. Paul has written a number of books, and celebrate the launch of The Allotment Chef: Home-grown Recipes and Seasonal Stories at Foodies.
Adam Byatt
Trinity
London, SW4 0JG
www.trinityrestaurant.co.uk
Adam is chef proprietor of the award winning restaurant Trinity in south London. Adam will be celebrating the release of his first book at Foodies. "How to Eat In", which is published in April, is Adam’s unique take on countless classic dishes that are worth staying in for, some very simple and achievable in minutes, others more sophisticated and ideal for special occasions. With all the flavour worthy of a restaurant, these dishes are accessible enough to share at home with family and friends. . Before opening Trinity in November 2006, Adam was the head chef and proprietor of Thyme in Clapham. Trinity has three AA rosettes and was both AA London Restaurant of the Year 2007/8 and Time Out's Best Local Restaurant 2007/8.
Cass Titcombe
Canteen
Spitalfields London, EH1 6DW
Royal Festival Hall London, SE1 8XX
Baker Street London, W1U 8EW
The Park Pavilion London E14 5FW
http://canteen.co.uk/
Brought up around good food, Cass was reared on an entirely home-cooked diet in Wales, where his parents fully embraced the self-sufficient lifestyle. Having left school at 16 and completing a two-year catering course and a stint at a local catering firm, Cass moved to Bath where he worked in restaurants and learned vital butchery skills, it was while in Bath that Cass first met Patrick (co-owner of Canteen). In 1994 Cass moved to London, and worked at Daphne’s in South Kensington, then went on to open the The Collection and Pasha. During his time at The Collection Cass realised that his passion lay with organic and seasonal food. In 2000 Cass, together with his family traveled around Italy for four months developing a feel for simple, tasty cooking. On his return Cass settled in Brighton where he opened a small restaurant and set up the Real Eating Company. It was at this time that Patrick introduced Cass to Dom and the Canteen plan was hatched. The first Canteen restaurant was opened in 2005 in Spitalfields, London, followed by three more Canteens in London.
Gary Lee
The Ivy
London WC2H 9NQ
www.the-ivy.co.uk
Gary has been Head Chef at The Ivy Restaurant for three years. His Caprice Holdings’ career includes positions as Sous Chef at Le Caprice and Head Chef at Bam-Bou before taking up his role at The Ivy where he also oversees the private dining room and the opening of The Club at the Ivy in September 2008. His career started at The Dorchester under legendary Anton Mosimann, before becoming Head Chef himself. Gary has garnered a great deal of knowledge, experience and insight into different cultures and cuisines. All this experience and understanding fit neatly with one of Gary’s life philosophies: “there is no substitute for knowledge”. He ensures that everyone who works under him gets constant tutelage, encouragement and training.
Galton Blackiston
Morston Hall
Norfolk
www.morstonhall.com
The dinner menu at Galton’s hotel and restaurant Morston Hall is chosen each morning depending on what fresh produce is available. Galton and his wife Tracy opened Morston Hall in 1992 and have since dedicated hard work and passion to creating the award winning establishment. Galton’s passion for food started at a young age when he sold home made cakes at the producers market in Rye, he began his career when he worked at John Tovey’s Miller Howe country hotel in the Lake District. International stints in New York, Canada, South Africa, and London were subsequently followed by the inevitable homecoming to Norfolk where he set up Morston Hall.
Laura Santtini
Laura is a food writer, cook & restaurateur. Author of Waitrose Food Illustrated’s Ask Mrs Santtini column. Her first cook book - EASY TASTY ITALIAN – was published by Quadrille in October 2009. At the same time Laura launched her own range of transformational cooking preparations - EASY TASTY MAGIC - in Selfridges Food Halls. Laura’s innovative range includes the groundbreaking product, Taste No.5™ Umami Paste, which has become a culinary phenomenon since being launched into Waitrose stores nationwide.
Oliver Rowe
Konstam at the Prince Albert
London WC1X 9NA
www.konstam.co.uk
Oliver Rowe's professional career took off in 1997 when he started work at Moro restaurant in Exmouth Market, London, where he remained for nearly four years. He left the restaurant to take on the role of head chef at Maquis, an Anglo-French restaurant in Hammersmith, London. On returning from a working visit to France, Oliver decided to set up his own restaurant. In April 2006 Oliver opened Konstam at the Prince Albert in London's King Cross. The restaurant's menu is based on around 85 per cent of the ingredients sourced from in and around the capital, limited to sources from within the M25, and from places accessible by the London Underground network. It was during the opening of this restaurant that Oliver filmed The Urban Chef on BBC Two, a series that followed Oliver's search for ingredients and battles with building schedules to open his restaurant on time.
Shay Cooper
Bingham Hotel
Surrey, TW10 6UT
www.thebingham.co.uk
Shay Cooper is the Executive Chef of the Bingham hotel in Richmond, which was awarded a Michelin star and 3 AA rosettes this year. Having trained at Paul Heathcotes school of excellence in Manchester, Shay quickly rose up the ranks in posts at Michelin starred restaurants, including Putney Bridge, Juniper in Altrincham, and The Vineyard at Stockcross. His most recent post had been as Head Chef in Olga Polizzi’s hotel Endsleigh in Devon, where he was awarded three AA rosettes. Drawing on over 10 years experience, Shay delivers, well executed seasonal menus showcasing the best in British food and incorporating the finest regional produce in the elegant setting of the Bingham’s dining room.
Steve Drake
Drakes Restaurant
Surrey
www.drakesrestaurant.co.uk
Steve is chef proprietor of Michelin-starred Drakes Restaurant. Steve honed his skills in the kitchens of Marco Pierre White, Nico Ladenis and Tom Aikens. In 2001, he was awarded The Roux Scholarship. This gave him the chance to travel to France to Lake Annecy where he quickly impressed the legendary Marc Veyrat, who at the time had two restaurants, each with three Michelin stars. Steve and his wife Serina opened the doors of their restaurant in Ripley in early 2004. The following January it was awarded a Michelin star and three AA Rosettes. Steve constantly strives to continue to enchant his guests with his unique style of artisan cooking and his rigorous attention to detail.
Atul Kochhar
Benares
London W1J 6BS
www.benaresrestaurant.com
Atul Kochhar has quite simply re-invented Indian cuisine. His unique talent as a twice Michelin Starred Chef has changed the way people perceive and experience Indian food. Atul was the very first Indian Chef to receive a Michelin Star during his time at Tamarind. He then went on to create the world renowned Benares Restaurant where he won his second Michelin Star in 2007. Atul started his cooking career in five star Indian hotels. In November 1994, Atul moved to London to open Tamarind and in January 2001, he was awarded his first Michelin star. He has published two hugely successful recipe books "Indian Essence" and "Fish, Indian Style". Atul opened Ananda in October 2008 on the outskirts of Dublin. Atul has featured in numerous television series including Masterchef Goes Large and BBC2’s Great British Menu series. Atul is also heavily involved in children’s charities- manly Barnardo’s, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Save The Children.
Katie Caldesi
Caffe Caldesi
London W1U 2QF
www.caldesi.com
Katie, together with husband Giancarlo run a family business inspired by the Italian Cuisine of Tuscany and their desire to share their passion for great food and wine. Their restaurant Caffe Caldesi serves home-cooked Italian cuisine, and at their cookery School, La Cucina Caldesi, celebrity chefs, food writers and wine experts are invited to teach all aspects of Italian cooking and wine. Following the success of their London restaurant they opened Caldesi in Campagna in Bray, and in 2009, having travelled across Italy gathering recipes, techniques and ingredients, Katie published ‘The Italian Cooker Course’ aimed at serious students of Italian cookery and culture.
Nathan Green
The Old Bear
Cobham KT11 3DX
www.theoldbearcobham.co.uk
Since Nathan has been head chef at The Old Bear it has been awarded 2 AA rosettes. Nathan won Young Chef of the Year in 2004 and was a finalist in the Ramsay Scholarship. He has trained at top restaurants including Gidleigh Park hotel, Devon, Tom Aikens’ restaurant and Thyme Bar and Bistro in Pimlico. This was followed by a year at the Ebury in London's Belgravia, and the Waterway in Little Venice. His next move took him to Mayfair's the Square for six months, which was quickly succeeded by six months at the Farm restaurant in Fulham. Green's most recent post has been at the Michelin-starred Arbutus restaurant, London, where he spent almost two years.
Hampton Court
Royal Palace, Hampton Court
May 29 30 31 2010
Leeds
Roundhay Park
July 2 3 4 2010
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Festival
August 13 14 15 2010
Oxford
South Parks
August 28 29 30 2010