2 Michelin Star Chefs: John Williams, MBE, executive chef, The Ritz

John Williams, MBE, is executive chef of the two Michelin-starred The Ritz London.

A veteran of the industry, John Williams has been in the hospitality trade for more than 50 years, joining The Ritz London as executive chef in 2004. The restaurant was awarded its first long-overdue star in the Michelin Guide UK 2017, and in the Michelin Guide UK 2025, it was awarded its second Michelin star.  

At the Michelin Awards live ceremony in 2025, held at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. John commented, “I have waited 50 years for this moment.  It is so special – The Ritz is a special place.  I thought we were forgotten.” 

Biography

The son of a Tyneside fisherman, John developed his passion for food at an early age. Taught by his mother to cook, and continuing with cookery classes at school, his culinary career began in 1974 with his first position as a commis chef at the Percy Arms Hotel in Otterburn as he studied for his City and Guilds at South Shields College.

While qualifying as a chef at Westminster College in London, John started work at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, working his way through the kitchen operation until his appointment as chef de cuisine in 1982. Two years later, he accepted the position of chef director at the Restaurant Le Crocodile in Kensington before joining the distinguished Savoy Group of Hotels and Restaurants in 1986.

During his impressive 18-year tenure with the Savoy Group, he served as premier sous chef at Claridge’s and maître chef des cuisines at The Berkeley, before his move to head up Claridge’s kitchens as maître chef des cuisines in 1995.

He later joined The Ritz in 2004, where he remains today overseeing a kitchen brigade of over 60 chefs.

The Royal Family

Proving popular with The Royal Family, John has been awarded many accolades, including the Royal Warrant for Banqueting and Catering Services from His Royal Highness King Charles III. The Ritz was the first and only hotel to receive this prestigious accolade. In 2008, he was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honour List by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his services to hospitality and catered for Queen Elizabeth’s 70th and 80th birthday banquets as well as several private dinners for the Royal family at The Ritz and state functions at Buckingham Palace.

Awards and Accolades

The chef was named President of The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts in 2024.

John also holds a Pierre Taittinger International Award and the Craft Guild of Chefs Award in 2000. He represented Great Britain in the prestigious Bocuse D’Or culinary competition. In 2005, Williams became the first British chef to be presentd with a CMA (the equivalent of an MBE) by the French Government.

As well as achieving two Michelin stars in the Michelin Guide UK 2025, The Ritz also holds four rosettes from the AA Restaurant Guide and five stars from the AA Hotel Guide. John was awarded the Chef of the Year at the AA Hospitality Awards in 2017.

Other Interests

A natural in front of the camera, he has appeared as a judge on Celebrity MasterChef twice, as well as taken part in the MasterChef: The Professionals television programme and made appearances on Saturday Kitchen. He has also served as a guest judge on BBC2’s Great British Menu.

Videos with John Williams: