Tom Aikens
About
Tom Aikens is a Michelin-starred celebrity chef.
Tom was born in Norwich into a family of wine merchants. The Aikens family had a converted barn in the Auvergne region of France where the chef would spend his early summers. The family travelled around France, exposing Tom to the fine regional cuisine.
Michelin Star
Aikens started his cooking career as a commis chef at the Mirabelle in Eastbourne. Then he continued his career at the Cavalier’s and then moved to London’s Capital Hotel under Michelin-starred head chef Philip Britten. Tom was working as chef de partie at Pierre Koffmann’s La Tante Claire in London when the restaurant won its third Michelin star. He then became sous chef at Pied à Terre in 1993 under Richard Neat.
Aikens left London to work under Joël Robuchon in Paris and Gerard Boyer in Reims before returning to Pied à Terre as head chef in 1996. He held onto the two Michelin stars earned by his predecessor, Richard Neat. In doing so, he became the youngest British chef to be awarded two Michelin stars.
Own Restaurant
Aikens spent a year as head chef at La Tante Claire before opening Tom Aikens in April 2003 in partnership with his then wife. The restaurant won a Michelin star in January 2004 and three stars in the Egon Ronay Guide for 2005.
In April 2010, Aikens opened “Tom’s Terrace” at Somerset House in London.
Tom has worked with some of the greatest chefs in world, including Pierre Koffman at La Tante Claire and Joël Robuchon in Paris. He has also worked privately, for Lord Lloyd Webber, and has published two books.
Aikens was one of the four Iron Chefs in Iron Chef UK on Channel 4. He has also appeared on Market Kitchen on UK Good Food Channel.
Tom’s other great passion is cycling. He has raced at the Marmotte and the Etape de Tour up Mount Ventoux and has completed the Marathon des Sables: 6 marathons running across the Sahara in 5 days, in support of his chosen charities.
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