Celebrity Chefs

The popularity of cookery shows on television continues to grow and more and more chefs are known outside their traditional culinary circles.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead boasts a whole host of pubs and restaurants owned by famous names and celebrity chefs and fine eateries where dedicated chefs have earned prestigious dining awards.

Heston Blumenthal

'Culinary alchemist' and self-taught chef Heston Blumenthal owns the multi-award-winning Fat Duck, in picturesque Bray, near Maidenhead.

The Fat Duck offers such delights as snail porridge and whisky wine gums and was once voted the best restaurant in the world.  It holds three Michelin stars.

Celebrity chef Heston also owns two pubs in Bray: the 15th-century Hinds Head (now with its own Michelin star) and the low beamed 14th-century Crown at Bray.

Alain Roux

Nestling on the banks of the Thames, in the charming 16th-century village of Bray, the Waterside Inn has been serving inspirational French cuisine since 1972.  

Its welcoming, informal ambience belies its formidable reputation: owned by the celebrated Roux père et fils, and nowadays run by Alain Roux, the Waterside is renowned across the globe as a leading light in the world of gastronomy.

Michel and Alain Roux opened a chic new Thameside brasserie, Roux at Skindles at Taplow Riverside Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire in November 2018 on the site of the former infamous Skindles Hotel.

Marco Pierre White

Marco had been awarded three Michelin stars by the age off 33, becoming the youngest British chef to achieve this. Since retiring from cooking in 1999, he's focused on extending his restaurant empire.

You’ll find the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill at the Castle Hotel, just opposite Windsor Castle.

Giancarlo Caldesi

Inspired by Giancarlo’s rural upbringing in Tuscany, Katie and Giancarlo opened Caldesi in Campagna, meaning Caldesi in the Country, in Bray in 2007.

The Caldesis are passionate about seasonal and sustainable ingredients and use local produce such as game, meat and eggs where possible.

Atul Kochhar

Enjoy the very best of traditional Indian cuisine in a contemporary riverside setting at Sindu by Atul Kochhar at the Macdonald Compleat Angler hotel.

Michelin-starred chef Atul’s menus are inspired by his love of traditional Indian cuisine combined with his dedication to using only the finest British ingredients.

The result is an innovative and unique style of authentic modern Indian cuisine offering a selection of deliciously distinctive creations.  The tasting menu offers diners an exquisite selection of perfectly-chosen courses.

Adam Smith

In November 2017 Restaurant Coworth Park was added to the culinary map when executive chef Adam Smith was awarded his first Michelin within just 12 months of being at Coworth Park.

Restaurant Coworth Park was also awarded 3 AA Rosettes and the Barn 2 AA Rosettes.

Located within the Mansion House, Restaurant Coworth Park offers one Michelin-starred dining and stunning views through French doors across the rose terrace and croquet lawn to the meadow and rolling estate grounds beyond.

Executive chef Adam Smith showcases a modern presentation of classic British flavour combinations and a commitment to quality ingredients and depth of flavour

Nick Parkinson

Nick and his father Sir Michael Parkinson first set eyes on The Royal Oak in Paley Street near Maidenhead in 2001. 

At the time the pub was very 'pink' and showed little sign of any tender loving care.  Sir Michael wasn't as convinced as Nick but trusted his son's judgment.  In July 2001 after a lick of paint and a dose of Lady Mary Parkinson's magic touch the Royal Oak reopened.

In 2008 the team gained a Bib Gourmand.  Going from strength to strength in 2010 The Royal Oak attained the acclaimed Michelin star. Today The Royal Oak holds three AA Rosettes.

Professional Masterchef Champion 2017 Craig Johnston, from Maidenhead, worked as sous chef at the Royal Oak when he won the accolade.

Simon Bonwick

The Michelin-starred Crown in Burchetts Green near Maidenhead is very personally and passionately run by the Bonwick Family and comes with a small bar and two intimate, open-fired dining rooms.

The refined, deftly prepared dishes – six per course – are decided upon daily; the options are diverse and appealing with flavours clearly defined.

Tony Parkin

Tony Parkin at The Tudor Room, Great Fosters, is a Michelin star and 4AA Rosette award-winning restaurant, offering an intimate dining experience for just 20 diners at any one time.  Before coming to Great Fosters, Tony was Head Chef at Graham Garrett’s The West House where he helped maintain the restaurant’s Michelin star.

Tony has worked in the industry for almost 20 years across a range of different kitchens, cooking classical French to Nordic inspired cuisine.  He was also a private chef to Lord and Lady Bamford and cooked at Kommendaten, the only 2 Michelin starred restaurant in Copenhagen.

When you visit Tony Parkin at The Tudor Room, expect a contemporary tasting menu using seasonal ingredients, many of which are freshly picked from the kitchen garden on the estate each morning. 

Chris Wheeler

Stoke Park’s restaurant Humphry's holds three AA Rosettes, thanks in no small part to their Head Chef Chris Wheeler's modern British food with a twist and exquisite signature dishes.

Your dining experience at Stoke Park, surrounded as you are by stunning décor and panoramic views of the estate, will be a lasting one.

In the Hotel Cateys 2016 Chris Wheeler won Hotel Chef of the Year (over 250 covers).  He was also Chef of the Year in the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Life Food and Drink Awards 2016.

Browse our Food and Drink for more inspiration.