John Burton-Race
John Burton-Race | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 1, 1957 Singapore |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, television personality |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Known for | Michelin-starred chef, appearances on MasterChef, Great British Menu, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! |
John William Burton-Race (born 1 May 1957) is a British ex-Michelin-starred chef and television figure, recognized for his roles in Channel 4's French Leave, its follow-up Return of the Chef, and the reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
Early life
Burton-Race was born in Singapore and grew up under the care of his mother and stepfather, who worked as a United Nations official. He reconnected with his biological father, a geologist, later in life. His early exposure to international travel introduced him to a variety of culinary traditions. He completed his education at St Mary's College, Southampton.
Career
From 1983 until 2002, Burton-Race worked at prominent dining establishments in southern England, including Oxford’s Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons and Berkshire’s L'Ortolan. He assumed control of The Landmark London hotel in 2000, where he secured two Michelin stars. In 1995, he was honored with a Catey Award.
Burton-Race made his television debut on MasterChef in 1990 and later contributed as a food consultant for the BBC drama Chef!. After relocating to France in 2002, he returned to the UK to purchase and manage The New Angel in Dartmouth, Devon, which achieved a Michelin star by 2005.
In 2006, he competed against Michael Caines representing South West England on BBC's Great British Menu. Subsequently, he served as mentor on BBC's Kitchen Criminals and acted as judge on ITV's Britain's Best Dish from 2007 to 2011.
During 2009, Burton-Race appeared as mentor on ITV's Taste The Nation, participated as a contestant on BBC Two's Put Your Menu Where Your Mouth Is, and took part in Let's Dance for Comic Relief. That summer, he was also featured on ITV's Daily Cooks Challenge.
After departing The New Angel in 2010, he joined Unitas and provided consultancy services to numerous restaurants, hotels, and food chains. In 2012, he was appointed brand ambassador and executive development chef for Adams Foods’ Kerrygold and Pilgrims Choice brands.
He ventured into retail with the launch of the 'Cooked by John Burton-Race' range in August 2013. That same year, he returned to compete on BBC One’s Put Your Menu Where Your Mouth Is and appeared on Channel 5’s reality program Celebrity Super Spa.
By 2017, Burton-Race was leading the brasserie and terrace restaurant team at the revamped Grosvenor Hotel in Torquay, Devon—rebranded as John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms—which earned two AA Rosettes. In August 2018, he announced his exit from the Richardson Hotel Group while pursuing new opportunities.
I'm a Celebrity
In November 2007, Burton-Race took part in ITV's I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!, where personality clashes arose between him and fellow contestant Lynne Franks. Serving as the camp’s primary cook, he expressed frustration over contestant Janice Dickinson’s refusal to consume certain meats such as kangaroo and crocodile. He was eliminated fifth on 24 November. During his farewell interview with hosts Ant & Dec, he highlighted his culinary openness to experimenting with diverse foods, contrasting with Dickinson’s selective eating habits.
Personal life
Burton-Race has entered into matrimony three times and is the father of five children:
- Marie-Christine (1978–1997): mother to two children, Naomi and Maximillian Burton-Race.
- Kim (1996–2007): they met at a Caribbean wedding hosted by a mutual friend; together they had two children and resided in a Georgian rectory located in Ashprington near Totnes, sharing the home with Kim’s four children from a previous marriage.
- Susan (2005–present)
After his separation from Kim, Burton-Race was obligated to sell various assets, including their family residence and his restaurant, The New Angel. The restaurant was closed by Kim on 27 November 2007 during Burton-Race’s participation in the television show I'm a Celebrity. Approximately one year later, a friend acquired and reopened The New Angel, with Burton-Race reinstated as head chef.
Although earlier assessments estimated their combined assets at over £3 million, both Burton-Race and Kim filed for bankruptcy in 2009.