1 Michelin Star Chefs: Michael Caines, Chef Patron, Lympstone Manor

Michael Caines is chef-proprietor of the one Michelin starred, Lympstone Manor in Devon.

Top chef Michael Caines spent 21 years at the helm of the two Michelin starred Gidleigh Park before his departure in 2016 to pursue a new venture, the country retreat, Lympstone Manor in Devon.

Biography

Born in 1969 in Exeter to a large family, Michael’s earliest memories were of him and his mother cooking up the fruits and vegetables grown in his father’s garden in the kitchen.

When he was older the chef later spent one year studying at Exeter Catering College before embarking on his first job at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London where he spent one and a half years. His next career move was working under Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons where he spent three years honing his craft.

Under Raymond’s leadership, Michael’s passion for French cuisine led him to travel to France to finish his training where he got the opportunity to work with French chefs Bernard Loiseau and Joël Robuchon who both had a big impact on his food style and way of cooking.

Michael decided to leave France in 1994 to return to Britain where he took on the role as head chef of Gidleigh Park which already held a Michelin star before Michael’s appointment. But after just two months the 25-year-old was in a serious car accident which almost ended his promising career before it even started. The accident led to the chef having to have his arm amputated, rather than let the incident hold him back Michael went back to Gidleigh Park after just four weeks to rejoin his team and take the helm of the kitchen once again.

His efforts soon paid off and Michael was awarded a second star in the Michelin Guide for Gidleigh Park in 1999, five short years after joining the Michelin starred restaurant. A feat he would retain until his departure in 2016.

Lympstone Manor

After 21 years behind the success of Gidleigh Park, Michael stepped down from his position as head chef to pursue a new venture. Located on the southern edge of Lympstone village, between Exeter and Exmouth, Michael restored the Grade II listed Georgian mansion Lympstone Manor where the former home is now a 21 bedroom hotel with a 60 cover restaurant that opened in early 2017.

With three dining rooms to choose from, Haldon, Mamhead, and Powderham, diners can experience Michael’s exceptional cooking in each of the restaurants that all have views overlooking the Exe Estuary.

Michael and the team achieved their first star for the country retreat in the Michelin Guide UK 2018.

Food Style

Michael’s food is a reflection of modern British cuisine that is fresh, seasonal, original, and exciting. Michael prides himself on using local suppliers and ingredients utilising the bounty of the Exe estuary, East Devon and the Southwest.

Other interests

Michael is a patron of Families for Children Trust, a voluntary adoption agency covering Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. 

He was also awarded an MBE for services to the hospitality industry in 2006 and released his first, and currently only cookbook, Michael Caines at Home in 2014.

He has also appeared on numerous television shows including Saturday Kitchen and MasterChef: The Professionals. In 2006 Michael represented the South West of England on the first series of BBC2’s Great British Menu where the Michelin starred chef made it through to the final of the show.