Tom Kitchin
Thomas William Kitchin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur |
| Known for | Youngest Michelin star chef in Scotland; proprietor of The Kitchin |
| Notable work | From Nature to Plate |
Thomas William Kitchin is a Scottish culinary expert and proprietor of The Kitchin, where he achieved the distinction of being the youngest Michelin star chef in Scotland.
In 2006, Kitchin and his spouse Michaela established The Kitchin along Leith’s waterfront. Within just six months of its debut, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin Star in 2007, propelling Kitchin to become Scotland’s youngest chef-owner to receive such an honor at age 29. Since then, The Kitchin has preserved its Michelin star status and garnered further recognition, including becoming the sole Scottish restaurant to earn 5 AA Rosettes in 2015.
His culinary training includes prestigious European kitchens such as La Tante Claire in London under Pierre Koffmann, Guy Savoy in Paris, and Le Louis XV in Monaco with Alain Ducasse.
Career
Originating from Edinburgh, Kitchin was educated at Dollar Academy and pursued studies in catering at Perth College. He completed his apprenticeship at the Gleneagles Hotel before gaining experience under renowned three-Michelin-star chefs Pierre Koffmann, Alain Ducasse, and Guy Savoy.
At only 29 years old, The Kitchin secured its inaugural Michelin star after merely six months of operation, making Kitchin the youngest chef globally to attain this accolade. Albert Roux recognized him as Scotland’s most promising chef for potentially achieving three Michelin stars. His cooking philosophy combines classical French methods with fresh Scottish seasonal produce, a concept elaborated in his 2010 publication From Nature to Plate.
In July 2010, together with chef Dominic Jack, Kitchin launched a second establishment named Castle Terrace near Edinburgh Castle. Adhering to the same "From Nature to Plate" ethos, it earned a Michelin star in 2011. However, Castle Terrace ceased operations in 2020 amid the coronavirus crisis.
Kitchin was honored as Observer Food Monthly Cook of the Year in 2010. Later, in June 2012, Edinburgh Napier University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Arts recognizing his impact on Scottish culinary culture.
In 2013, Kitchin and Jack opened The Scran & Scallie, a gastropub located in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge district.
Books
Kitchin has published four cookbooks centered on regional and seasonal fare:
- From Nature to Plate: Seasonal Recipes from The Kitchin, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, August 2009. This initial work presents 100 seasonal recipes and chronicles Kitchin’s progression from apprentice to Scotland’s youngest Michelin-starred chef-owner.
- Kitchin Suppers, Quadrille Publishing, January 2012
- Tom Kitchin’s Meat & Game, Absolute Press, August 2017
- Tom Kitchin’s Fish & Shellfish, Absolute Press, August 2018
Media appearances
Kitchin has been featured as a guest host on BBC’s The One Show and frequently appears on Saturday Kitchen Live and MasterChef UK. He made a cameo on Channel 4's Come Dine With Me in 2016. In 2019, BBC2's series Most Remarkable Places to Eat showcased The Kitchin. Additionally, he has competed on the Great British Menu and welcomed 2010 MasterChef winner Dhruv Baker for work experience at his restaurant.
Awards
The Kitchin received its first Michelin star in 2007 and remains Scotland’s only restaurant awarded 5 AA Rosettes since 2015. It consistently retains these distinctions annually. Notable honors include:
- Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2021 – 1 star
- AA Best Restaurants 2021 – 5 AA Rosettes
- Food & Travel Awards 2021 – Best Restaurant Outside London
- Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2021 – Best Fine Dining Restaurant No. 2 UK, No. 10 Europe
- The Cateys 2020 – Tom Kitchin, Chef Award
- National Restaurant Awards 2019 – Tom & Michaela Kitchin, Restaurateur of the Year
- Eat Game Awards 2019 – Tom Kitchin, Best Chef Regularly Cooking Game
Personal life
Kitchin is married to Michaela, who serves as co-founder and executive director of the Kitchin Group. Together, they have four children. Michaela’s previous experience includes positions with the Savoy Group and nearly three years at Dubai’s prestigious seven-star Burj Al Arab Hotel. She has been instrumental in the design and development of every Kitchin Group restaurant, notably their second establishment, Castle Terrace.
Community support
Since December 2015, Kitchin has actively supported the international charity Mary's Meals, based in Scotland, through its annual initiative "One More For Christmas." He appeared in a promotional video illustrating how to create "The Most Amazing Christmas Dinner," representing the cost of providing a child with meals for an entire year at £12.20 ($19.50/€14.50). By the end of 2016, Mary's Meals was delivering daily school meals to more than 1.18 million children across a dozen developing nations.
Controversy
Within a span of less than twelve months from 2019 to early 2020, three of Kitchin’s dining establishments did not pass hygiene evaluations. In July 2021, allegations emerged against Kitchin and his wife concerning the withholding of thousands of pounds from employees’ tips. Additionally, former staff members reported instances of bullying, violence, and sexual misconduct occurring within Kitchin’s venues. In reaction to these claims, Kitchin took disciplinary action by suspending two employees: one for causing injury to a woman’s arm with a hot tray and another for engaging in physical assault.