Tom Parker Bowles is a food critic and writer known for his extensive career in the food industry. He is also known for being the only son of Queen Camilla and stepson of King Charles III. Although he is well known, especially to British audiences, there are many Tom Parker Bowles facts that people do not know. So, what are some interesting facts about Tom Parker Bowles? Here are some Tom Parker Bowles facts you might not know and that will reveal more about the life of the food critic and writer.
Tom Parker Bowles Facts: His Early and Personal Life
Where Was Tom Parker Bowles Born?
Tom Parker Bowles was born in Westminster, London, on the 18th of December 1974. He is the son of Queen Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles, and he has a sister, Laura. Parker Bowles grew up first in Bolehyde Manor in Allington and then at Middlewick House in Corsham.
Where Was He Educated?
Parker Bowles attended Summer Fields School in Oxford, followed by Heywood Preparatory School in Corsham. Next, he attended Eton College before studying at Worcester College, Worcester.
Is Tom Parker Bowles Married?
Parker Bowles met Sara Buys, a senior editor of Town & Country magazine and an associate editor at Harpers & Queen magazine, in 2000. The couple married five years later. Buys and Parker Bowles separated in 2018. Parker Bowles dated former journalist Alice Procope from 2019 until her death from cancer in 2021.
Does Tom Parker Bowles Have Children?
Yes, Tom Parker Bowles has two children with his ex-wife. They welcomed their first child, daughter Lola, in 2007. Three years later, their son, Frederick, was born.
Facts About Tom Parker Bowles: His Career as a Writer and Critic
What Inspired His Career in the Food Industry?
Parker Bowles claims that he fell in love with food writing as soon as he left school. The critic and writer also claims his mother has been one of his biggest inspirations, as he was inspired by both her cooking and her recipes.
Where Did Parker Bowles Begin His Career?
One of the Tom Parker Bowles facts people want to know is where he started his career. Parker Bowles worked as a junior publicist at a PR firm called Dennis Davidson Associates from 1997 to 2000. He became a food columnist for Tatler’s in 2001.
How Many Cookbooks Has Tom Parker Bowles Written?
In total, Parker Bowles has written seven cookbooks. He published his first, E is for Eating: An Alphabet of Greed, in 2004. His most recent, Fortnum & Mason: Time for Tea, was published in 2021.
Who Does the Food Writer Write for Now?
Tom Parker Bowles writes for multiple publications. He is the food editor for Esquire and a restaurant critic for The Mail on Sunday. The writer is also a contributing editor for Departures and both the UK and US versions of Conde Nast Traveller. Furthermore, he is a regular contributor to Town and Country, Harpers Bazaar, and Country Life.
His Television Appearances
When Did Parker Bowles First Appear on Television?
Tom Parker Bowles first appeared on television in 2007 when he began co-presenting Market Kitchen on the Good Food Channel with Matt Tebbutt and Matthew Fort. He continued to present the series until 2010. In 2008, he appeared in two episodes of Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word.
Has He Worked in Australia?
In addition to having British fans, Parker Bowles is also known to Australian viewers as he has appeared on various television series. The food critic was a judge on the Australian cooking series The Hot Plate. He was also a judge alongside Matt Moran and Anna Polyviou on the series Family Food Fight.
Where Else Will You Have Seen the Food Critic?
Many British viewers are familiar with Tom Parker Bowles from his appearances on MasterChef. He has made regular appearances as a guest judge on MasterChef and MasterChef the Professionals for many years, alongside regular judges, including John Torode, Gregg Wallace, Monica Galetti, Anna Haugh, and Marcus Wareing. He often appears alongside fellow food critic Grace Dent. According to IMDb, Parker Bowles had a cameo role in the 2017 film Kingsmen: The Golden Circle and has appeared in Celebrity Poker Club and Cooking the Books.
Other Tom Parker Bowles Facts
He Was Once Involved in a Drug Scandal
In 2000, newspaper reports alleged that Tom Parker Bowles took cocaine during the Cannes Film Festival.
Tom Parker Bowles Has a Large Social Media Following
In 2014, Tom Parker Bowles was named one of the top ten most-followed food critics and writers on Twitter. He currently has a Twitter following of more than 39,000 people.
He Is in Business with Matthew Fort
Parker Bowles is in business with Matthew Fort, a fellow food writer and television personality. Fort is known for his appearances as a judge on The Great British Menu. Other judges on the series have included Prue Leith, Oliver Peyton, Nisha Katona, Tom Kerridge, Rachel Khoo, and Andi Oliver. Fort and Parker Bowles founded a pork scratchings company called Mr Trotter’s Great British Pork Crackling in 2011. Two years later, the pair expanded the brand in collaboration with The Lancaster Brewing Company to include a beer called Mr Trotter’s Chestnut Ale. They continue to expand the brand to include new products.
What Is Tom Parker Bowles’ Favourite Food?
Due to his career in the culinary industry, one of the Tom Parker Bowles facts that people want to know relates to his favourite food. Despite eating in some of the world’s best restaurants as part of his job, Parker Bowles loves traditional British food. One of his favourite meals is roast chicken with peas, roast potatoes, and thick gravy. However, he told The Lady that he also loves a plate of caviar.
We hope you enjoyed reading our Tom Parker Bowles facts.