Michael Caines

Michael Caines
Michael Caines
Born	January 3, 1969 (age 57); Exeter, Devon, England
Occupation(s)	Chef, Restaurateur
Years active	1987–present
Known for	Head chef at Gidleigh Park; owner of Lympstone Manor

Michael Andrew Caines (born 3 January 1969) is a distinguished English chef originating from Exeter, Devon. He held the position of head chef at Gidleigh Park until January 2016 and presently owns the Michelin-starred Lympstone Manor hotel situated near Exeter.

Biography

Born in Exeter in 1969 and adopted by Patricia and Peter Caines, he pursued catering studies at Exeter College. Between 1987 and 1989, he gained experience at London's Grosvenor House Hotel before spending three years training under mentor Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. His culinary education continued in France, where he worked with renowned chefs Bernard Loiseau and Joël Robuchon.

In 1994, Caines was appointed Head Chef at the Michelin one-star Gidleigh Park. Shortly after, he suffered the loss of his right arm in a car accident. Despite this setback, he guided Gidleigh Park to earn a second Michelin star in 1999. He was honored as Chef of the Year at The Catey Awards in 2001. Caines departed from Gidleigh Park in January 2016, with Michelin-starred Michael Wignall taking over his role.

Founded in 1999, Michael Caines Restaurants Ltd saw the opening of the Michael Caines Restaurant at Bristol Marriott Royal in 2003. In partnership with Andrew Brownsword, he acquired Exeter’s Royal Clarence Hotel in 2000; however, it was forced to close following a fire in 2016.

Together, they developed ABode Hotels, which now encompasses five locations: Exeter, Canterbury, Glasgow, Manchester, and Chester. From 2009 to 2017, Caines acted as executive chef at The Bath Priory and served as Director of Food & Beverage for Andrew Brownsword Hotels between 2012 and 2014.

Since 2013, he has been responsible for catering to the Williams Formula 1 team. Additionally, he represented Southwest England on BBC's Great British Menu in 2006, advancing to the final round.

In 2011, Caines inaugurated The Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College. By 2015, he stepped down from his roles at Gidleigh Park and ABode Hotels to concentrate on other entrepreneurial pursuits.

Lympstone Manor and Restaurant closures

In 2016, Caines launched Lympstone Manor, a luxury boutique hotel and dining establishment near Exmouth, Devon. He described it as "the realisation of a dream, my vision of country house hospitality for the 21st Century." A vineyard was established on the property producing a house sparkling wine using the traditional champagne method. Since its inaugural harvest in 2020, the Triassic Pinot Noir has earned a gold medal at the 2023 International Wine Challenge (IWC) and a bronze at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). The Classic Cuvée champagne-method sparkling wine was introduced in October 2023. Starting January 2025, Caines began offering private culinary masterclasses at the venue.

Caines revived The Cove Restaurant located in Maenporth near Falmouth, Cornwall—a venue formerly operated by Arty Williams and Annette Rickard for seventeen years. The reopening took place on 10 March 2020 with an emphasis on casual dining aimed at families, locals, and visitors. Unfortunately, it closed less than two weeks later due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. Subsequently, Caines sold the restaurant; it reopened under new ownership in February 2025.

In August 2023, he also shuttered his Porthleven-based establishment The Harbourside Refuge. Moreover, he previously owned Mickeys Beach Bar and Restaurant and Cafe Patisserie Glacerie in Exmouth, Devon; both have since transitioned to new management.

Personal life

Residing close to Exeter in mid-Devon, Caines is a father to three daughters and one son. Having been adopted and living as an amputee, he actively supports numerous local organizations and charities dedicated to amputees.

Honours

On 17 June 2006, Caines received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) distinction in the Civil Division, recognizing his contributions to the hospitality sector.
He was named Deputy Lieutenant of Devon on 10 May 2019, an honor that entitles him to use the post-nominal letters "DL" indefinitely.

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