Tom Kerridge is an English Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, and television personality. He is one of the best-known and most loved chefs in the UK, but that does not mean that everyone knows all the facts about Tom Kerridge. Here are some fun Tom Kerridge facts that you might not know.
Tom Kerridge Facts: His Early and Family Life
Where Was Tom Kerridge born?
Tom Kerridge was born in Salisbury, England, on 27th July 1973. After his parents divorced, Kerridge, his brother, and his mother lived in various housing estates in Gloucester.
Who Is Tom Kerridge’s Wife?
Tom Kerridge’s wife is sculptor Beth Cullen-Kerridge. Kerridge says they have a strong relationship, but it was put under strain during their first year of living together. They were living above his restaurant where he was working for 90 hours a week.
Does Tom Kerridge Have Children?
Tom Kerridge and his wife have one son together. Their son is called Acey.
Where Does TomKerridge Live?
According to Hello, Tom Kerridge lives just outside the village of Marlow with his wife and son. His country home is close to his pubs The Coach and The Hand and Flowers.
His Culinary Career
He Was Inspired by Marco Pierre White
Like many chefs, Tom Kerridge was inspired to embark on a culinary career by someone who was already established in the industry. Kerridge claims it was reading Marco Pierre White’s cookbook ‘White Heat’ that encouraged him to enrol at a catering college in Cheltenham.
Kerridge Trained Under Many Well-Known Chefs
In the early years of his career, Tom Kerridge completed his culinary training and worked in establishments run by some well-known chefs. He began working at Calcot Manor in Tetbury in 1991, then worked under Phillip Britten at the Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge. Next, he worked at the Stephen Bull restaurant in Marylebone. After several more years working in various British restaurants, he became a sous chef at Gary Rhodes’ restaurant Rhodes in the Square in 1999. Kerridge’s career then progressed further when he became senior sous chef at Odettes in London then head chef at Bellamys Dining Room and Great Fosters.
He Opened His First Gastropub in 2005
Tom Kerridge opened his first gastropub, The Hand & Flowers, in 2005. It is in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The following year, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin Star and then received its second Michelin Star in 2012.
Kerridge Now Has Six Restaurants
In addition to The Hand & Flowers, Tom Kerridge has another two gastropubs in Marlow called The Coach and The Butcher’s Tap. The celebrity chef also has two restaurants in London. Kerridge’s Bar & Grill is in the Corinthia Hotel, while Kerridge’s Fish & Chips is in Harrods. In 2019, Kerridge opened The Bull & Bear at the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester.
Other Facts About His Culinary Career
He Has Created Food for an Airline
In 2021, Tom Kerridge began collaborating with British Airways to create a range of short-haul economy food. Two years previously, Kerridge worked with the same airline to create a menu for long-haul customers.
Kerridge Has Published Eight Cookbooks
During his career, Tom Kerridge has authored eight cookbooks. The first was the 2013 cookbook ‘Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food.’ His most recent cookbook was ‘Tom Kerridge’s Outdoor Cooking: The Ultimate Barbecue Bible,’ which was published in 2021.
Facts About Tom Kerridge and the Great British Menu
He Won the Main Course Twice
‘Great British Menu’ is a series in which professional chefs compete to cook a course at a themed celebratory banquet. Tom Kerridge competed in the series for the first time in 2010’s series five, and he won the main course to cook at the banquet. The following year, Kerridge competed for a second time and once again won the honour of cooking the main course at the banquet.
Kerridge Was a Guest Judge on Ten Series
After winning the main course round twice, Tom Kerridge became one of the guest judges on the ‘Great British Menu.’ He has appeared in ten series as a guest judge between 2012 and 2021. The role means he judges the food of the chefs competing in one of the regional heats. Other guest judges, also known as the veterans, who have regularly appeared on the series include Angela Hartnett, Daniel Clifford, Richard Corrigan, Paul Ainsworth, Michael O’Hare, Tom Aikens, Phil Howard, Tommy Banks, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Marcus Wareing, Sat Bains, Jeremy Lee, Glynn Purnell, and Jason Atherton.
He Is Now on the Main Judging Panel
In 2022, Tom Kerridge became a member of the main judging panel for the first time. It means that he is one of the three main judges to score the food at the end of the week for each of the regional heats and to decide who will cook at the banquet. He is on the panel alongside Ed Gamble, a comedian and food podcaster, and Nisha Katona, a chef, restaurateur, and television personality. The series is hosted by Andi Oliver, who was previously on the judging panel. Other former judges include Prue Leith, Matthew Fort, Oliver Peyton, and Rachel Khoo.
His Other Television Appearances
Tom Kerridge Presented Food and Drink
Kerridge became the co-host of the BBC programme ‘Food and Drink’ in 2015. He had previously appeared as a guest chef on the series in 2014. Kerridge was also the presenter of the first series of ‘Bake Off: Crème de la Crème’ and the 2016 series ‘The Food Detectives.’
He Landed His Own Series in 2013
In 2013, Tom Kerridge landed his own television series ‘Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food.’ He has since hosted many more of his own series, including ‘Tom Kerridge’s Best Ever Dishes,’ ‘Spring Kitchen with Tom Kerridge,’ ‘Tom Kerridge’s Lose Weight for Good,’ ‘Top of the Shop with Tom Kerridge,’ ‘Tom Kerridge’s American Feast,’ ‘Tom Kerridge Barbecues,’ ‘Lose Weight and Key Fit with Tom Kerridge,’ and ‘Saving Britain’s Pubs with Tom Kerridge.’
He Has Appeared on Saturday Kitchen
Kerridge has appeared as a guest chef on ‘Saturday Kitchen’ on multiple occasions. Matt Tebbutt currently hosts the show, and former hosts include Gregg Wallace, Michel Roux Jr., and James Martin. Each week, different celebrity chefs feature on the show. Chefs who have appeared include George Calombaris, Yotam Ottolenghi, Anna Haugh, Monica Galetti, Allegra McEvedy, Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, Atul Kochhar, and Paul Hollywood.
Other Tom Kerridge Facts
He Was a Child Actor
One of the Tom Kerridge facts people don’t know is he was a child actor. While attending a youth theatre program, Kerridge was spotted and cast in the 1991 Christmas special ‘Miss Marple: They Do It with Mirrors.’ It led to further small roles on TV.
How Did Tom Kerridge Lose Weight?
Fans who have watched Kerridge on TV may notice that he has lost weight in recent years. At his heaviest, he weighed 30 stone. After he turned 40, he decided to lose weight for his health and lost 12 stones over five years. He has done this by cutting out carbohydrates and alcohol. Kerridge also took up swimming and started eating dopamine-boosting food that boosts.
He Has a Number Seven Tattoo
Tom Kerridge is a lifelong supporter of Manchester United. In honour of his favourite former player, Kerridge has a tattoo of the number seven.
What Does Tom Kerridge Cook at Home?
You might think that Tom Kerridge spends his free time cooking for his family at home. However, the celebrity chef claims he hardly ever cooks at home, and his oven is the least used appliance in his home.
What Is Tom Kerridge’s Net Worth?
One of the Tom Kerridge facts that people want to know is if Tom Kerridge is a rich man. There are unconfirmed estimations that Tom Kerridge’s net worth is around £3.5 million. While this means he is rich, it is not enough to put him on the world’s richest chefs list. British chefs on the list include Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Levi Roots, and Marco Pierre White.
Do you enjoy watching Tom Kerridge as a judge on The Great British Menu as much as everyone at The Fruity Tart? Let us know in the comments below.