Tom Aikens
Tom grew up in a family that enjoyed great food and wine. He studied at Norwich City College Hotel School, which led to his first job as a Commis Chef at the Mirabelle in Eastbourne. He then embarked on Commis Chef roles at two high profile and esteemed Michelin-starred restaurants - Cavalier's with David Cavalier, then at The Capital Hotel with Philip Britten in London. Aged 22, he worked as Chef de Partie with Pierre Koffman at La Tante Claire,which earned its third Michelin star at that time. It was there that Tom's passion for French cuisine took hold. He moved to Pied à Terre in 1993 as Sous Chef. Two seminal stints in France followed - at three star Michelin Joël Robuchon in Paris and Gerard Boyer at Les Crayères in Reims. Returning to London and Pied à Terre in 1996 as Head Chef (and co-proprietor), Tom became the youngest ever recipient of two Michelin stars at the age of 26. Tom's dream was always to open his own restaurant, and in 2003, he opened Tom Aikens restaurant in Chelsea. Immediately the restaurant garnered phenomenal critical acclaim, receiving a Michelin star in 2004.