You’ve probably seen him on MasterChef or heard about the pub that earned two Michelin stars. But Tom Kerridge’s story goes well beyond the kitchen—from quitting alcohol cold turkey to losing a significant amount of weight and stepping away from a major TV show.
Born: 27 July 1973 ·
Michelin stars: 3 ·
Owned restaurants: 3 (The Hand & Flowers, The Coach, The Butcher’s Tap & Grill)
Quick snapshot
- Born 27 July 1973 (Wikipedia)
- Owns three restaurants including the double Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers (BBC Two)
- Sober since around 2014 (The Guardian)
- Exact date when he stopped drinking
- Official reason for leaving MasterChef (only scheduling conflicts cited)
- Precise amount of weight lost
- 2005 – Opens The Hand & Flowers (BBC Two)
- 2012 – Awarded second Michelin star (BBC Media Centre)
- 2014 – Stops drinking (estimated) (The Guardian)
- Continues television work outside MasterChef
- Potential expansion of pub/restaurant portfolio
- Ongoing advocacy for alcohol-free hospitality
Six data points shape the public profile of this chef, from his birth registration to his current business holdings.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Kerridge |
| Born | 27 July 1973 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Chef, TV personality |
| Michelin stars | 3 |
| Known for | The Hand & Flowers |
How long has Tom Kerridge been sober?
Kerridge has been open about his decision to stop drinking. In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, he described being “nearly seven years” sober, placing his sobriety start around 2014. A follow-up piece in 2025 quoted him saying he has been sober “more than ten years,” confirming the timeline (The Guardian).
When did Tom Kerridge stop drinking?
- He quit without professional help and “just decided I needed to stop immediately” (The Guardian).
- A 2021 report claimed he relapsed briefly around his 40th birthday before returning to sobriety (Express).
Why did Tom Kerridge give up alcohol?
He told The Guardian that his relationship with alcohol and food “had been excessive” and that he now seeks “control and balance.” Exercise—swimming, running, and gym work—replaced the drinking habit (The Guardian).
A chef who built his reputation on hearty British pub food gave up alcohol and transformed his own health. For his industry, the message is that hospitality and sobriety can coexist.
The implication: Kerridge’s sobriety is not a short-term phase but a decade-long commitment that reshaped both his personal life and his business ethos.
Which restaurants does Tom Kerridge own?
Kerridge currently runs three establishments in and around Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The crown jewel is The Hand & Flowers, which under his ownership became the first pub in the world to hold two Michelin stars (BBC Media Centre).
| Restaurant | Michelin stars | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| The Hand & Flowers | 2 | 2005 |
| The Coach | 1 | 2015 (approx.) |
| The Butcher’s Tap & Grill | 0 | 2018 |
In 2018, he also launched Kerridge’s Bar & Grill inside London’s Corinthia Hotel (BBC Media Centre), though it is not part of his core group.
Three stars across two properties put Kerridge in an elite club of UK chefs, yet he operates outside the fine-dining temple model—his restaurants are pubs and grills, not tasting‑menu rooms.
The pattern: Kerridge has deliberately avoided the formal Michelin‑style dining room, proving that top‑tier cooking can thrive in relaxed settings.
How did Tom Kerridge lose so much weight?
Kerridge dropped a significant amount of weight, though he has never published exact figures. He credits a combination of dietary changes and regular exercise—swimming, running, and gym sessions—rather than a specific branded diet (The Guardian).
What diet did Tom Kerridge follow?
- He reduced alcohol intake (stopped entirely) and cut back on high‑sugar foods.
- He has said he does not “diet” in the restrictive sense but aims for balance.
How much weight did Tom Kerridge lose?
Exact numbers are not confirmed by Kerridge or his representatives. He has said only that he lost “a lot” and that the change was gradual (The Guardian).
The catch: without a verified starting point, the reported weight loss must be treated as anecdotal, not a scientifically tracked metric.
Why has Tom Kerridge pulled out of MasterChef?
Kerridge was a regular judge on MasterChef: The Professionals and MasterChef UK. In 2022, he announced he was stepping back, citing scheduling conflicts with his restaurant commitments (BBC Two).
Did Tom Kerridge leave MasterChef permanently?
His departure appears to be indefinite rather than a fixed break. He has not returned to the show in subsequent series. He continues to appear on other cooking programmes and his own shows.
What was the official reason for his departure?
The BBC has stated that Kerridge’s exit was due to diary clashes—he was unable to commit to the filming schedule (BBC Two). No further explanation has been given.
The trade‑off: a high‑profile TV role gave way to hands‑on management of his growing restaurant group—a decision many chefs face as their brands expand.
How tall is chef Tom Kerridge?
Kerridge’s exact height is not publicly listed on any official biography. He is often described as of average stature, but no verified source exists (Wikipedia). This section also covers his family life.
How many children does Tom Kerridge have?
He and his wife Beth have one son, Acey, born around 2015. Their family life is kept largely private.
Where is Tom Kerridge’s wife from?
Beth Kerridge (née Cullen) is British. She worked as a personal trainer before they married (BBC Two).
How old is Tom Kerridge’s son Acey?
If born in 2015, Acey would be about 9 or 10 as of 2025. The family does not share his exact birth date publicly.
The reality: Kerridge’s personal details remain deliberately low‑profile, consistent with his focus on work and sobriety over celebrity.
As Kerridge approaches his mid‑50s, the next chapter may involve succession planning for his restaurant group and possibly a return to television in a new format.
Timeline
- 27 July 1973 – Born Thomas Kerridge in England (Wikipedia)
- Early 1990s – First catering job as commis chef at Calcot Manor, Gloucestershire (BBC Media Centre)
- Late 1990s – Works in London with chefs Phillip Britton, Steven Bull, Gary Rhodes (BBC Two)
- ~2000 – Becomes head chef at Adlards, a one‑Michelin‑star restaurant in Norwich (BBC Two)
- 2005 – Opens The Hand & Flowers with his wife Beth (BBC Two)
- 2006 – The Hand & Flowers awarded first Michelin star (BBC Two)
- 2012 – Second Michelin star awarded; first pub in the world to achieve this (BBC Media Centre)
- ~2014 – Stops drinking (The Guardian)
- 2014–2015 – Relapse reported around 40th birthday, returns to sobriety (Express)
- 2018 – Opens Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at Corinthia London (BBC Media Centre)
- 2022 – Steps back from MasterChef due to scheduling conflicts (BBC Two)
- 2024–2025 – Reports indicate over a decade of sobriety (The Guardian)
Clarity: Confirmed vs. unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born 27 July 1973 (Wikipedia)
- Owns The Hand & Flowers (two Michelin stars), The Coach (one star), The Butcher’s Tap & Grill (BBC Two)
- Sober since ~2014 (The Guardian)
- Married to Beth, one son Acey (BBC Two)
- Left MasterChef due to diary clashes (BBC Two)
- Lost a significant amount of weight through diet and exercise (The Guardian)
What’s unclear
- Exact date he stopped drinking (reports vary between 2013 and 2014)
- Official detailed reason for MasterChef exit (only scheduling cited)
- Precise amount of weight lost
- Net worth (no verified figure)
- Exact height
- Son Acey’s exact birth date
Quotes
“I’ve never known fear like it.”
— Tom Kerridge, on quitting alcohol, The Guardian (2025)
“My relationship with food and alcohol has been excessive. Now I try to find control.”
— Tom Kerridge, The Guardian (2020)
For Kerridge, the consequences of his choices are visible in both his career trajectory and his physical transformation. The decision to go alcohol‑free and to prioritise health over TV exposure has not cost him his edge—it has sharpened it.
theguardian.com, poplix.uk, mirror.co.uk, mirror.co.uk, reportergourmet.com, tomkerridge.com, podcasts.apple.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Tom Kerridge’s net worth?
There is no publicly confirmed figure. Estimates vary widely and are not based on verified financial disclosures.
Is Tom Kerridge married?
Yes, he married Beth Cullen (now Beth Kerridge) before opening The Hand & Flowers. They have one son, Acey.
Does Tom Kerridge have any tattoos?
He has several visible tattoos on his arms, though he has not discussed their meaning publicly.
What is Tom Kerridge’s favorite dish to cook?
He has mentioned slow‑cooked meats and his signature dish, “Cornish haddock ravioli,” in interviews, but no single favourite has been officially stated.
How did Tom Kerridge start cooking?
After a brief stint as a child actor, he took a commis chef position at Calcot Manor in Gloucestershire and progressed through country‑house hotels and London kitchens (BBC Media Centre).
Where did Tom Kerridge train as a chef?
He trained on the job rather than through a formal culinary school, working under chefs including Phillip Britton, Steven Bull, and Gary Rhodes (BBC Two).
Does Tom Kerridge still drink alcohol?
No. He has been sober since approximately 2014 and has described himself as “more than ten years” alcohol‑free in 2025 (The Guardian).
Will Tom Kerridge return to MasterChef?
No announcement has been made. He stepped back in 2022 due to scheduling and has not indicated a return.
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Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.