Marcus Wareing is a celebrity chef who has been around for years. However, most people probably know him as a judge on ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’ or ‘The Great British Menu’. Although most people know who he is, there are many Marcus Wareing facts people do not know.
At The Fruity Tart, we thought our readers might find it interesting to learn some more facts about Marcus Wareing. Therefore, we have compiled a list of interesting Marcus Wareing facts to read. It includes information about his career, Marcus Wareing’s net worth, his interests, and Marcus Wareing’s wife and family life.
Marcus Wareing Facts: His Early Life and Family
He is from Southport
According to Wikipedia, Marcus Wareing was born on 29 June 1970 in Southport, Lancashire. He attended Stanley High School in Southport and showed a natural cooking talent as a teen.
He Studied Catering at College
After leaving school, Marcus Wareing attended Southport College, where he studied catering for three years. He left with a City & Guilds qualification in catering.
Who Is Marcus Wareing’s Wife?
Marcus Wareing is married to Jane. They met while he was the second chef at Gravetye Manor, where his wife also worked in reception. The couple maintained a long-term relationship when Wareing worked with Gordon Ramsay at Aubergine in London, as he commuted back to Sussex every Sunday. Gordon Ramsay was the best man at the couple’s wedding.
Does Marcus Wareing Have Children?
Marcus Wareing is a father of three. He and his wife Jane have two sons, Jake and Archie, and a daughter, Jessie. Gordon Ramsay is godfather to Wareing’s eldest son.
Facts About Marcus Wareing: His Early Culinary Career
His First Job in the Food Industry Was with His Father
Wareing first started working in the food industry before he was even a teenager. His father was a fruit and potato merchant, and Wareing began a job packing the potatoes and assisting with deliveries at the age of just 11.
His First Cooking Job Was at the Savoy Hotel
At 18, Marcus landed his first cooking job at the Savoy Hotel. He worked under chef Anton Edelmann as a commis chef. He worked at this hotel from 1988 until 1993, when he left to work at the Michelin-starred Le Gavroche under Albert Roux.
Wareing Worked with Gordon Ramsay at Aubergine
After leaving Le Gavroche in 1993, Wareing worked at Aubergine, where Gordon Ramsay was the head chef. The pair worked together for the next 15 years. They then worked at L’Oranger together, with Marcus as head chef. Following a disagreement, the two chefs parted ways, and both moved on to new ventures. This led to both Ramsay and Wareing being sued by A-Z Restaurants, which owned Aubergine and L’Oranger. Both chefs paid in an out-of-court settlement.
Wareing Was Awarded His First Michelin Star at the Age of 25
Marcus Wareing was first awarded a Michelin star at 25 while he was head chef at Lo’Oranger. When Wareing and Ramsay opened a restaurant called Petrus in 1999, Wareing regained the Michelin star, and the restaurant was also awarded one Michelin star a year later.
His Culinary Career Since 2000
2003 Was a Big Year for Marcus Wareing
One of the most significant years in Marcus Wareing’s career was in 2003. First, Petrus moved to the Berkeley Hotel in London, replacing Pierre Koffman’s La Tante Claire. Later in the same year, Marcus Wareing became the Chef Patron at the Savoy Hotel’s Grill Room. Also, in 2003, the Caterer and Hotelkeeper’s Catey Awards named Marcus Wareing the Chef of the Year.
He Founded Marcus Wareing Restaurants in 2008
Once the legal dispute with Gordon Ramsay was resolved, Wareing negotiated a deal with Berkeley Hotel to launch his solo restaurant, which he initially called Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley but is now simply called Marcus. The launch led to his founding Marcus Wareing Restaurants in 2008. The group now includes three restaurants.
Marcus Wareing Facts: His Career in Television
Wareing Was First on Television in 1998
Marcus Wareing first appeared on television in 1998 in the documentary Boiling Point. It was about Wareing’s time as sous and his earning his first Michelin star. He has since established a successful television career. Most recently, the BBC commissioned a series called ‘Marcus Wareing Simply Provence,’ which will air later in 2024.
Marcus Wareing Was a Contestant on ‘Great British Menu’
In 2006, Marcus Wareing represented the North of England in the BBC competition series ‘Great British Menu’, along with Simon Rimmer. He beat Rimmer in the final when the public vote put forward his dessert of egg custard tart and garibaldi biscuits. The dessert was served at the Queen’s 80th birthday banquet.
He Later Went on to Become One of the Chef Judges on ‘Great British Menu’
Wareing later became one of the celebrity chef judges on ‘Great British Menu,’ along with other professional chefs such as Paul Ainsworth and Angela Hartnett. He has fulfilled this role for the last four series of the cooking competition, which has a different theme each year. Andi Oliver is the current series presenter, and Tom Kerridge and Nisha Katona are the judges.
He is a Judge on ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’
Most people know Marcus Wareing as one of the judges on ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’ alongside Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace. He joined for the seventh series. His predecessor was Michel Roux Jr, who had his contract with the BBC terminated due to his links to advertising potatoes.
Other Facts About Marcus Wareing
Marcus Wareing’s Net Worth is Around $15 Million
What is Marcus Wareing’s net worth if the celebrity chef is so successful? Marcus Wareing’s net worth in 2024 is $15 million. Therefore, it is possible that he has accrued even more wealth since that time. The celebrity chef has made his money through his work in the food industry and through his television appearances. Although he is one of the richest celebrity chefs in Britain, he is not as rich as Mary Berry, Gordon Ramsay, Levi Roots, or Jamie Oliver.
He Has Been in a Long-Standing Feud with Gordon Ramsay
Once, Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsay were close friends. Not only was Wareing Ramsay’s protégé at Ramsay’s restaurant Aubergine, but Ramsay was also the best man at Wareing’s wedding and is godfather to Wareing’s oldest child. According to Square Meal, Wareing was sick of feeling like he was kept in a corner and as though he had nothing to offer to Ramsay’s business. So, he spoke out, and the two of them fell out. Although they no longer speak, Wareing says he respects Gordon Ramsay’s achievements.
He Enjoys Boxing
In his youth, Marcus Wareing was an amateur boxer. Although he no longer had time to pursue this passion, he returned to the ring for a charity event. In 2012, he competed in the White-collar boxing match along with other chefs and catering staff. The event was to raise money for the Hilton in the Community Foundation.
More Marcus Wareing Facts
Marcus Wareing Has Released Nine Cookbooks
In addition to his work in restaurants and on television, Marcus Wareing is also an author of cookbooks. To date, he has written nine cookbooks, all published by HarperCollins. His first cookbook was the 2007 book ‘How to Cook the Perfect…’ His most recent is the 2021 cookbook ‘Marcus’ Kitchen’.
He Once Featured in Photographic Art
One of the facts about Marcus Wareing that most people do not know is that he was once involved in a photographic art piece in 2003. He was one of the 13 chefs chosen by photographer John Reardon to feature in a recreation of the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting ‘The Last Supper’. In the photograph, Wareing is tossing a piece of Brie across the room.
His Favourite Food is a Roast Dinner
Although he had the fortune to have fine dining experiences worldwide, he told Swindon Advertiser that his favourite meal was a roast lamb dinner. It is what he would choose as his last meal if he were on death row. On the other hand, his idea of food hell is tripe, and it is something he refuses to cook.
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