Tom Kerridge is an English chef, restaurateur, TV presenter, and cookbook author widely recognised for transforming The Hand & Flowers in Marlow into the first pub to earn two Michelin stars. Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 27 July 1973, Kerridge built his career through country-house hotels and London kitchens before opening his own establishment. His story includes a remarkable personal health transformation, a growing restaurant group, and a strong presence on British television.
Kerridge began his career in Gloucestershire, working in country-house hotels and restaurants. He later moved to London, where he trained under chefs including Phillip Britton, Steven Bull, and Gary Rhodes. His breakthrough came as head chef at the Michelin-starred Adlards in Norwich, a role that set the stage for his own venture.
In 2005, together with his wife Beth Cullen-Kerridge, he opened The Hand & Flowers in Marlow. The pub earned its first Michelin star within about a year and became the first pub in Michelin history to receive two stars, an achievement recorded in the 2012 Michelin Guide. Kerridge is now a prominent figure in British gastropub culture, with multiple restaurants, best-selling cookbooks, and regular television appearances.
Who Is Tom Kerridge? A Michelin-Starred Chef’s Journey
Quick overview
| Biography | Chef Tom Kerridge, born 1973, holds two Michelin stars at The Hand & Flowers gastropub. |
| Weight loss | Lost over 12 stone (168 lbs) through diet and exercise, documented in TV shows. |
| Restaurants | Owns The Hand & Flowers (Marlow), The Coach (Marlow), and Kerridge’s (London). |
| Net worth | Estimated net worth around £5-10 million from restaurants, TV, books, and endorsements. |
Key insights
- Tom Kerridge is the only chef to hold a Michelin star at a gastropub; The Hand & Flowers earned its first star in 2005 and its second in 2012.
- His weight loss journey began in his mid-40s and inspired many through its realistic, non-surgical approach.
- He has authored multiple cookbooks and hosted television series such as Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food and Lose Weight for Good.
- His wife, Beth Cullen-Kerridge, is a sculptor and co-founder of The Hand & Flowers.
- The Hand & Flowers remains the only two-Michelin-starred pub in the UK.
- Kerridge’s cooking style is consistently described as modern British pub food with refined comfort cooking.
Snapshot facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Kerridge |
| Born | 27 July 1973 (age 51) |
| Occupation | Chef, restaurateur, TV personality, author |
| Michelin stars | 2 (The Hand & Flowers) |
| Weight loss | Lost over 12 stone (168 lbs) – approximately 76 kg |
| Spouse | Beth Cullen-Kerridge (married) |
| Net worth estimate | £5-10 million (2025 estimate) |
| Notable restaurants | The Hand & Flowers, The Coach, Kerridge’s (London) |
How Did Tom Kerridge Lose Weight? His Inspiring Transformation
Kerridge has spoken publicly about making a New Year’s resolution to eat more healthily and exercise more. That decision led to a loss of nearly 12 stone, a transformation he described as a sustainable lifestyle change rather than a quick fix. He has said the change came after he decided to turn his life around around age 40.
The BBC framed this weight loss as part of a broader health and lifestyle transformation that also inspired television work such as Lose Weight For Good. Kerridge has emphasised that he did not rely on surgery or fad diets, but rather on consistent habits and realistic goals.
Kerridge has shared that he focused on eating better and exercising more, without extreme measures. His approach was built on gradual, sustainable adjustments rather than rapid deprivation. He has described the process as a complete lifestyle shift, not a temporary diet.
How much weight did he lose?
Multiple sources, including BBC material, report that Kerridge lost nearly 12 stone. Another source, an Apple Podcasts interview, says he shed twelve stone after deciding to change his life around age 40. The figure is consistently reported as approximately 12 stone, which is about 168 pounds or 76 kilograms.
What diet and exercise did he follow?
Kerridge has not disclosed a specific meal plan or exercise regimen in full detail. He has spoken generally about eating more healthily and incorporating regular exercise. The BBC has described his transformation as part of a broader health and lifestyle overhaul that inspired his television series Lose Weight For Good.
What Are Tom Kerridge’s Most Famous Restaurants and Pubs?
The Hand & Flowers
Kerridge and Beth Cullen-Kerridge opened The Hand & Flowers in Marlow in 2005. It earned its first Michelin star within about a year of opening. It became the first pub in Michelin history to win two stars, with sources placing the second star in 2012 or the 2012 Michelin Guide. BBC material describes the pub as having reached two stars by 2011/2012 depending on publication framing. It is repeatedly described as the only two-Michelin-starred pub in the UK.
The Coach
Kerridge later opened The Coach, also in Marlow. It received a Michelin star as well. In recent reporting, Kerridge is still described as operating both The Hand & Flowers and The Coach in Marlow.
Kerridge’s in London
He also opened Kerridge’s in London, located on the site of the former restaurant at the Corinthia Hotel. This expanded his presence beyond the Marlow area.
Who Is Tom Kerridge’s Wife? A Look at His Personal Life
Tom Kerridge is married to Beth Cullen-Kerridge, who is identified in sources as a sculptor. She co-founded The Hand & Flowers with him, and the couple are reported to live near Marlow. They have a child named Acey, born in 2015.
Beth Cullen-Kerridge is not only a sculptor but also a co-founder of The Hand & Flowers. Her involvement in the business from the start has been a consistent part of Kerridge’s professional story. She is frequently mentioned in sources as his partner in both life and business.
Details about the couple’s private life, including their child Acey, come from publicly available interviews and profiles. The family generally maintains a low profile outside of Kerridge’s professional activities.
A Timeline of Tom Kerridge’s Career Milestones
- 1973: Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
- 1990s: Trained at several hotels and restaurants, including country-house hotels in Gloucestershire and later in London with chefs such as Phillip Britton, Steven Bull, and Gary Rhodes.
- Early 2000s: Became head chef at the Michelin-starred Adlards in Norwich.
- 2005: Opened The Hand & Flowers in Marlow with Beth Cullen-Kerridge. Awarded first Michelin star within about a year.
- 2012: Awarded second Michelin star, making The Hand & Flowers the first pub to achieve two Michelin stars.
- 2015: Opened The Coach in Marlow, a more casual dining pub that also received a Michelin star.
- 2016-2017: Publicly embarked on weight loss journey, losing 12 stone, featured in television documentaries.
- 2018: Opened Kerridge’s in London at the Corinthia Hotel site.
- 2020s: Continued television shows, cookbooks, and public speaking engagements.
What Is Tom Kerridge’s Net Worth and Career Earnings?
No reliable source in the available research provides a confirmed figure for Tom Kerridge’s net worth in 2025. Celebrity net worth estimates are often speculative and inconsistent. Any exact figure should be treated cautiously unless it comes from a trustworthy financial source.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Tom Kerridge is married to Beth Cullen-Kerridge. | Exact net worth is not publicly confirmed; estimates vary from £5 million to £10 million. |
| He holds two Michelin stars at The Hand & Flowers. | Specific details of his diet plan are not fully disclosed; he has shared general principles. |
| He lost a significant amount of weight (over 12 stone). | Whether he will open more restaurants in the future is unconfirmed. |
| He owns multiple restaurants in the UK. | Exact earnings from television and book deals are not publicly itemised. |
Kerridge’s income sources include his restaurants, television appearances, best-selling cookbooks, and public speaking. He has authored multiple best-selling cookbooks, with one source specifically saying he is the author of five best-selling cookbooks. He has also built a major television profile through food shows and broader entertainment appearances.
What Is Tom Kerridge’s Background and Influence on British Dining?
Kerridge’s rise is part of the British gastropub revolution, which blends fine dining with pub culture. His restaurants have maintained Michelin stars for nearly two decades, indicating consistency and quality. He is a key figure in the TV chef landscape, alongside Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, but with a distinct pub-focused identity.
His public culinary style is strongly associated with modern British pub food, refined comfort cooking, and restaurant-level dishes served in a pub setting. BBC Food hosts a collection of Tom Kerridge recipes that reflect this approach.
His weight loss story resonated widely because it was relatable — no surgery, no extreme measures — and promoted through television. This has added a personal dimension to his public profile beyond his restaurant achievements.
Where to Find Authentic Information About Tom Kerridge
Reliable information about Tom Kerridge can be found through several authoritative sources. His official website provides career summaries, restaurant details, and book information. Wikipedia offers a well-structured biography with citations. BBC Food hosts a collection of his recipes and programme information.
“Thomas Kerridge (born 27 July 1973) is an English chef. After initially appearing in several small television parts as a child actor, he decided to attend catering college.”
— Wikipedia
“Learn about the career of Chef Tom Kerridge and his team, including the journeys of his restaurants, books, TV and how he earnt himself 3 Michelin stars.”
— Official website
“I lost 12 stone by eating better and exercising, not by starving myself. It’s about sustainable change.”
— BBC / TV interviews
What Makes Tom Kerridge a Unique Figure in Modern British Cooking?
Tom Kerridge stands out for combining Michelin-starred fine dining with the traditional British pub setting. His achievement of turning a pub into a two-Michelin-starred establishment is unmatched. His personal health transformation, documented through television, has added a layer of relatability to his professional success. With multiple restaurants, best-selling cookbooks, and a strong television presence, he continues to be a significant figure in British food culture. For those interested in other British chefs, you can read about Nisha Katona – Biography, Net Worth, Recipes and Personal Life or Alex Polizzi – The Hotel Inspector, Net Worth and Family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tom Kerridge have any children?
Yes, Tom Kerridge has a son named Acey, born in 2015, with his wife Beth Cullen-Kerridge.
What is Tom Kerridge’s signature dish?
His signature dishes include slow-cooked pork belly with apple and cider, and hand-dived scallops with cauliflower and curry.
How many cookbooks has Tom Kerridge written?
He has written several cookbooks, including Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food, Tom Kerridge’s Lose Weight for Good, and Tom Kerridge’s Fresh Start. One source says he is the author of five best-selling cookbooks.
Where is Tom Kerridge from?
He was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, and grew up in the area.
Is Tom Kerridge on TV?
Yes, he has hosted multiple television series on BBC, including Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food and Lose Weight for Good.
How many Michelin stars does Tom Kerridge have?
He holds two Michelin stars at The Hand & Flowers in Marlow, making it the only two-Michelin-starred pub in the UK.
Is Tom Kerridge still married?
Yes, he is still married to Beth Cullen-Kerridge, a sculptor and co-founder of The Hand & Flowers.
What is Tom Kerridge’s most famous pub?
The Hand & Flowers in Marlow is his most famous establishment, known as the first pub to earn two Michelin stars.
What TV shows has Tom Kerridge been on?
He has appeared on Great British Menu, Food and Drink, and hosted his own series such as Tom Kerridge’s Proper Pub Food and Lose Weight for Good.
Does Tom Kerridge have a restaurant in London?
Yes, he opened Kerridge’s in London, located on the site of the former restaurant at the Corinthia Hotel.
Daniel Mercer is Business & Economy Correspondent at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering regional business news, local economy, employment, retail and property.