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.

Ascot Racecourse - 8 Michelin Chef Line Up for Royal Ascot 2019

Ascot Racecourse prides itself on tradition as well as innovation and the ‘chefs in residence’ confirmed for Royal Ascot 2019 perfectly illustrate this with a collective eight Michelin Stars.

As the founder of one of London’s most talked about restaurants in recent years – HIDE in Mayfair – Ollie Dabbous will make his Royal Ascot debut in The Balmoral, the racecourse’s latest restaurant concept. Having opened his first restaurant Dabbous in 2012 to unprecedented critical acclaim, Ollie opened his hotly-anticipated restaurant HIDE in 2018 and was soon awarded its first Michelin Star.

Ollie commented on his culinary debut at the world-famous racecourse: “Royal Ascot is one of the highlights of the British summer. Aside from the racing, the food offering there is gaining an amazing reputation in its own right. It's a stellar line-up this year so I'm very flattered to be asked and excited to be a part of it.”

Returning for a second year, Simon Rogan will once again host his restaurant in the Royal Enclosure Gardens and curate the menu served in the Green Yard Restaurant, also in the Royal Enclosure. Following an incredibly successful Royal Ascot week in 2018, Simon went on to be awarded an impressive four stars across his dining portfolio in the 2019 Michelin Guide.

Royal Ascot will also welcome the return of Raymond Blanc OBE and Phil Howard. 

Two Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc OBE will once again take up residence in the prestigious Panoramic Restaurant in the Royal Enclosure. Returning to the restaurant for a fourth year, he will be back with a tailored menu and a refined service which promises to be one of the finest gastronomic experiences found at the racecourse.
 
Having been praised for his previous stints at Royal Ascot, and winning a Michelin star for his Elystan Street restaurant in 2017, Phil Howard returns to ON 5 – the Queen Anne Enclosure’s award-winning restaurant on the fifth floor of the Grandstand. Phil will create a spectacular menu championing the best of British produce, providing a relaxed and contemporary dining experience for racegoers.

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.

Omar Allibhoy

Born in Madrid, Omar Allibhoy trained with Ferran Adria of El Bulli before moving to London and working with Gordon Ramsay and Jason Atherton.  He later became Head Chef at El Pirata detapas in Notting Hill, where he was featured on Channel 4’s Ramsay’s Best Restaurant. After opening his first restaurant in 2010, Omar has successfully spread his ‘Tapas Revolution’ throughout seven towns and cities in the UK, including Windsor, and has been dubbed the ‘Antonio Banderas of cooking’ by Gordon Ramsay.  Omar is committed to being at the forefront of representing the wonderful produce of Spain in the UK and has been named as a ‘crusader for Spanish food and culture’ back in his home country.

Alongside his seven tapas bars, Omar has written two cookbooks ‘Tapas Revolution’ and ‘Spanish Made Simple’ and made numerous TV appearances including Saturday Kitchen, MasterChef, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, The One Show, Sunday Brunch and This Morning.

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.

Douglas Balish

First awarded a Michelin star in October 2016 and headed up by Douglas Balish, the Tudor Room at Great Fosters is an intimate sophisticated restaurant open for lunch on a Thursday and Friday and for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday inclusive. 

The Tudor Room is a beautifully decorated dining room with the intimacy of only 24 covers. The service is attentive yet unobtrusive and the food speaks for itself.

A showcase for Douglas's inspirations and aspirations for Great Fosters, his style is classic but with a modern twist: seasonal ingredients, sourced locally where possible but not at the expense of ensuring only the best and most superior quality.

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.