1 Michelin Star Chefs: Marcus Wareing, Marcus

Marcus Wareing is the chef-owner of one Michelin-starred Marcus at The Berkeley in London.

Biography

Marcus Wareing was born in Southport, Merseyside. Even as a child, he was involved in the food trade, and remembers packing potatoes and running deliveries with his father aged just 11.

Marcus was embarrassed at being the only boy in his home economics class growing up, but he shouldn't have been: with his natural talent, it was clear from the start that he was destined for a culinary career.

Marcus was first employed as a commis chef under chef Anton Edelmann at the Savoy Hotel in 1998 at the age of 18.

In 1993, he left to join Albert Roux at Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche where he first met Gordon Ramsay.

After working in a handful of restaurants in New York City, Amsterdam and at Gravetye Manor in Sussex, Marcus joined Gordon Ramsay’s Aubergine when it first opened in 1993.

Under the wing of chef Gordon, Marcus became the sous-chef and worked with him over the course of the following 15 years. 

Marcus Wareing’s career to date

During his time at L’Oranger, Marcus gave Angela Hartnett MBE her first job as a sous-chef. After a few bumps in the road between Gordon Ramsay and A-Z restaurants over Marcus’s contract at L’Oranger, both Gordon and Marcus quit their former jobs and joined together to open Pétrus in 1999.

Marcus took on the head chef position operating the restaurant on behalf of Gordon Ramsay Holdings (GHR); several months after opening Marcus promptly regained his Michelin star status. The restaurant was moved into The Berkeley Hotel in 2003 which replaced Pierre Koffmann’s La Tante Claire.  In the same year, he became chef-patron of the Grill Room at the Savoy Hotel. 

In 2003, Marcus opened his own take on an American diner at the Savoy called Banquette and converted the previous Pétrus location into La Fleur - which closed in 2004.

Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley opened in 2008, and along with it, Marcus Wareing Restaurants was founded. The group has since expanded and now comprises three restaurants.

In 2011, he opened his second restaurant The Gilbert Scott – St.Pancras Renaissance Hotel, which closed in 2021 when the lease came to an end.

In 2012, he helped launch Aalto, a restaurant inside the (now closed) Hotel La Tour in Birmingham, West Midlands. 

In September 2014, Marcus opened Tredwells in Upper St Martin's Lane, Seven Dials, London. Tredwells closed its doors in 2021.

Also in 2014, after extensive refurbishments, Marcus relaunched Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley under a new moniker: Marcus.

Marcus Wareing’s accolades and awards

Over the years, Marcus has won many awards, including Young Chef of the Year in 1995, his first Michelin star at the age of 25. His guidance helped restaurant Pétrus achieve two Michelin stars and 5-AA Rosettes, and Savoy Grill achieve its first Michelin star in 2004.

Following awards include being voted Restaurateur of the Year at the Tatler Restaurant Awards in 2004, 4th Best Chef in London voted by Harden’s restaurant guide, his self-named restaurant won the Best Restaurant in London Award by Harden guide in 2008 and 2009, he was awarded every chef’s dream of reaching two Michelin stars in 2009 and was also named by magazine GQ as their Chef of the Year in 2009, Time Out’s Restaurant of the Year in 2010.

Marcus held two stars from 2009 until 2018 when the Berkeley restaurant lost a star in the Michelin Guide UK 2019.

In March 2017, Marcus named husband and wife, Mark and Shauna Froydenlund  joint chef-patrons of the restaurant and in 2021 he announced MasterChef: The Professionals 2017 champion Craig Johnston would be the new head chef.

Marcus's Books

Marcus has written nine books: The first book he published was How to cook the perfect... in 2007, which was co-authored by Jen Wright. It was followed in 2008 by Knife Skills, a collaboration with Shaun Hill and Charlie Trotter.

Also in 2008, Marcus published One Perfect Ingredient, three ways to cook it, co-authored by Chantelle Nicholson Chantelle., followed in 2009 by Nutmeg and Custard, and then in 2013 with The Gilbert Scott Book of British Food, both of which were also co-written by Chantelle Nicholson.

More recently, the chef released a three-book series comprised of Marcus at Home (2016), Marcus Wareing: New Classic (2017), and Marcus Everyday (2019), each of which are cookbooks of Marcus's own recipes, co-authored by Chantelle Nicholson. 

In 2021, Marcus released Marcus' Kitchen, a cookbook compilation of his favourite recipes.

Marcus Wareing television appearances

In 2006, Marcus reached the banquet of the first series of BBC2’s Great British Menu for his dessert, custard tart with Garibaldi biscuits. Since the seventh series of MasterChef: The Professionals, Marcus has been a judge alongside fellow chefs Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace. Marcus replaced Michel Roux Jr in 2014, who left the show due to "a conflict in commercial interests". 

Videos by Marcus Wareing: