Marco Pierre White

Marco Pierre White is renowned as one of the most influential figures in modern gastronomy, often dubbed the first celebrity chef. The youngest and first British chef to receive three Michelin stars at just 33 years old, his culinary experience showcases his uncompromising standards and food expertise. Marco not only has a vast restaurant portfolio, but he has also appeared on mainstream TV, including working as the former Head Chef on ITV's Hell's Kitchen and the Principal Judge on MasterChef Australia: The Professionals. Across his extensive career, he has worked to redefine fine dining.

Marco began with thorough training at Hotel St George in Harrogate and The Box Tree in Ilkley. Moving to London, he developed further expertise with classical training under Albert and Michael Roux and Le Gavroche, before working with Pierre Koffmann, Raymond Blanc and Nico Ladenis. Branching out by himself, Marco began working in the kitchen at the Six Bells Public House in The Kings Road. In 1987, at just 24 years old, he co-created and owned Harveys on Wandsworth Common, where he worked as Head Chef. The restaurant earned immediate widespread acclaim, gaining two Michelin stars and hiring a young Gordon Ramsey. Soon after, Marco opened the restaurant Marco Pierre White at the Hyde Park Hotel, where he promptly earned his third Michelin star. His extraordinary accomplishments were soon recognised with the 1987 Catey Newcomer Award, along with Harvey's being named The Times Restaurant of the Year. 

However, in 1999, Marco's steered his career in a new direction as he decided to retire from professional cooking, return his stars and concentrate on business and family. This led him to set up White Star Line Ltd, which served as the corporate umbrella for his transition from active chef to full-time restaurateur. In 2008, he opened his first steakhouse, the MPW Steak and Alehouse, before setting up Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill at Cadbury House as a franchise in 2010. This was closely followed by restaurants at Hoole Hall in Chester and The Cube in Birmingham. By 2013, Marco had developed a further master franchise named Black and White Hospitality along with several other successful restaurants.  

Alongside his professional cooking and business career, Marco has received international acclaim through television appearances, including serving as Head Chef on ITV's Hell's Kitchen in 2007 before hosting The Chopping Block in America in 2008. This developed in 2011 as he appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and on the UK version of Celebrity Big Brother to set a cooking task. Furthermore, in 2012, Marco fronted his own programme, Marco Pierre White's Kitchen Wars, for Channel 5. In more recent years, he partnered with the BBC to make a digital cooking course as part of the Maestro platform before starring in the 2026 documentary, Rise of the Rockstar Chef, alongside Gordon Ramsey. 

Marco's compelling insights into the world of cuisine are backed by decades of unrivalled experience from kitchen apprentice and three-Michelin-star chef to entrepreneur and restaurant owner. Known as the original celebrity chef, he mentored distinguished names such as Gordon Ramsay, Phil Howard, Stephen Terry and Eric Chavot, showcasing his immense impact. Continuing to share his knowledge with the world, Marco has additionally authored several cookbooks, including 'White Heat' and an autobiography titled 'White Slave'. With his mastery consistently being sought after across the globe, in 2025 he headlined Bolton Food and Drink Festival with engaging live demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions filled with personal anecdotes and valuable lessons. When hired as a speaker or host, his humour, remarkable stories and kitchen wisdom make him a sensational choice for events seeking an impact that lasts well beyond the applause.