1 Michelin Star Chefs - Kirk Haworth, Plates

The Staff Canteen

Kirk Haworth is a chef whose plant-based philosophy and mission to redefine fine dining through wellness and sustainability have earned him growing acclaim.

In 2025, he reached a landmark in his culinary journey by earning his first Michelin star for Plates London, making it one of the UK’s most exciting plant-forward restaurants. 

After years spent working in some of the world’s best kitchens - including The French Laundry, The Square, and Quay in Sydney - Kirk’s life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with Lyme disease. That moment became a catalyst for change, inspiring him to shift toward a plant-based lifestyle focused on healing, balance, and energy.

Plates was born not just as a restaurant, but as a movement by Kirk and his sister Keeley Haworth - combining culinary artistry with nutritional intelligence and environmental respect.

Plates has become a hub for mindful gastronomy, where each dish is free from refined sugar, gluten, and dairy, and every ingredient is chosen for both flavour and function.

A landmark for plant-based fine dining

Securing a Michelin star for a fully plant-based restaurant is a major moment - not just for Kirk, but for the UK dining scene. It signals a shift in what modern luxury looks like on the plate: vibrant, nourishing, deeply seasonal, and produced with integrity.

Upon awarding the star in 2025, Michelin said: “Plates redefines what it means to dine well in London today. Kirk Haworth’s menu is deeply personal yet universally appealing - a sophisticated, plant-led experience that draws on nature’s rhythms and modern wellness.

"The technically precise dishes are filled with intriguing texture and harmony, showcasing the best of British-grown ingredients without compromising on indulgence. It is a restaurant that feeds both body and soul.”

 

One Community. One Purpose. Powered by You.

In this industry, we look out for each other. That’s what being a chef is all about - shared graft, shared passion, shared success. And for the past 17 years, The Staff Canteen has been your space to connect, to learn, to be inspired - a tribe built by chefs, for chefs.

• 5,000+ recipes to sharpen your skills.
• 2,000+ videos to fuel your creativity.
• 1,000+ features sharing the real stories of this industry.
• Daily industry news as it happens.
• Hospitality’s largest social media platform - connecting over 560,000 followers worldwide.
We know times are tough, and every kitchen’s feeling it. But if we stand together, we’ll get through it - and we’ll come out stronger.

Think of it as buying the community a coffee - just £3 to keep us going.
Your support keeps this space free, independent, and dedicated entirely to you and your industry. Together, we can keep inspiring chefs everywhere.

Chip in £3, drive us forward, and keep the community strong. Thank you.

We’re in this together. And together, we move forward.

The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 2nd July 2025

1 Michelin Star Chefs - Kirk Haworth, Plates