Paul Cunningham (chef)
Paul Cunningham | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Essex, England |
| Occupation | Chef |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Michelin-starred chef at The Paul and Henne Kirkeby Kro |
Paul Cunningham (born 1969) is a British chef who has established his career in Denmark. He received a Michelin star at The Paul and, as of 2017, holds two Michelin stars at Henne Kirkeby Kro.
Early life and training
Raised in the countryside of Essex, Cunningham began his culinary journey working in a rural pub located in Widdington. His early experience includes positions at several restaurants and country house hotels such as Danesfield House and Lords of the Manor, before he moved to Denmark in 1994.
Career
Upon arriving in Denmark, Cunningham initially specialized as a fish chef and eventually became head chef at Søllerød Kro, where the establishment earned one of the country's earliest Michelin stars during his leadership. He subsequently worked at , mentoring , followed by tenures at Coquus and Plaza. Cunningham later took on the roles of co-owner and head chef at The Paul, situated in Glassalen within Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star just nine months after its 2003 opening, enhancing Tivoli’s standing as a destination for fine dining. His guests have included notable personalities such as Margrethe II of Denmark, Bill Clinton, and Paris Hilton.
The 2008 economic downturn affected The Paul’s operations significantly. Following a stress-induced hospitalization in 2011 and management’s unwillingness to accommodate reduced working hours, Cunningham decided to close the restaurant that same year. In 2012, he took over from Allan Poulsen as head chef at Henne Kirkeby Kro, an 18th-century inn located in , Varde Municipality. Under his direction, the Kro achieved its first Michelin star in 2016 and was awarded a second star in 2017.
Although invited to launch Noma, Cunningham declined the opportunity, endorsing René Redzepi instead. While his earlier culinary approach involved precise techniques such as molecular cuisine, his work at Henne Kirkeby Kro reflects a transition to an "intuitive," jazz-inspired style that incorporates produce from the restaurant’s extensive kitchen garden—the largest in Denmark—and fresh ingredients sourced from nearby coastal areas. He characterizes his cuisine as influenced by global tastes rather than purely Nordic traditions, prioritizing fresh components and varied inspirations.
Cunningham personally oversees all menu creation, describing this responsibility as "a gastronome's Russian roulette." His dishes range from pig ears paired with oyster aioli to duck adorned with marigold flowers. Additionally, he is a member of the chef collective Gelinaz! and has triumphed three times in the Danish hot-dog championship.
Publications
By 2017, Cunningham had authored eight cookbooks.
Private life
He lives in Korsør with his wife Lene and their children, dividing his time between home and Henne Kirkeby due to the distance involved. Beyond cooking, Cunningham pursues photography and regards music as a vital element of his creative process.