Kate Austen

Kate Austen is a highly esteemed chef and the first female to win in the Main Course category on BBC2’s Great British Menu in its 19-year history. Her passion for food has led her to travel the world, having spent a lot of time in Scandinavia, Denmark, and Sweden working for some of the most famous Michelin-star restaurants. She has become a role model for budding female chefs, and as a speaker, covers topics such as female empowerment, working in a male dominated industry and navigating the challenges of this, and self-confidence and drive.

Kate’s culinary journey began with her working at the only Michelin-star restaurant in Norfolk, Morston Hall. Praised for her impeccable attention to detail and having honed her skills, she soon moved onto Marcus Wareing’s distinguished London restaurant, and then made the decision to move to Scandinavia, working in some of the region’s renowned restaurants, before heading to Copenhagen, where she joined the team at the two-Michelin-star Restaurant AOC. Quickly recognised for her hard work, she progressed into the role of head chef, making her the youngest female in the world to be head chef of a two-Michelin-star restaurant.

Next, Kate moved to Sweden and became sous chef at the three-Michelin-star restaurant, Frantzén. This kitchen was intense and challenging, but she found it provided vital experience and growth of her skills and knowledge. After the pandemic, Kate returned to the UK and became Senior Development Chef for Gordon Ramsay, which enabled her to continue her culinary dream whilst also enjoying an improved work-life balance. In 2024 came Kate’s win on BBC2’s Great British Menu, the icing on the cake that is her dazzling career to date.

Currently, Kate is a private chef for a London-based family, allowing her to explore different cuisines from around the world and broaden her knowledge even further. Always happy to pass the knowledge and tips she has gained from her time in the industry as a speaker, Kate will be the star of your event, leaving audience members feeling inspired and excited to get experimenting in the kitchen themselves.