Lee Tyler opens Restaurant 1812 in Norfolk

After years spent honing his craft under some of the UK’s most respected chefs, Lee Tyler has returned to his roots with the opening of Restaurant 1812 - a small, independent dining room overlooking the Norfolk Broads.

For Lee, whose career includes formative stints at L’Enclume with Simon Rogan and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London, 1812 represents both a homecoming and a new creative chapter.

Early beginnings and career highlights

Lee first discovered his passion for cooking while working in local Norwich restaurants before heading to London, where an eye-opening meal at Jason Atherton’s Maze sparked his ambition to cook at the highest level.

He recalled: “That was my first Michelin-starred experience. I just thought - this is what I’ve got to do.”

After gaining experience, Lee joined Simon Rogan’s team at L’Enclume in Cumbria, where he spent almost four years surrounded by a generation of chefs who would go on to define modern British cuisine.

He said: “I was really lucky. When I was there, I worked with Mark Birchall, Tom Barnes, Ben Cox, Chet Sharma and Kevin Tickle. The amount of talent in that kitchen was unbelievable - I feel like I hit it at the best possible time.”

Following his time at L’Enclume, Lee moved to Belgium to work alongside Sergio Herman and Nick Bril - an experience he described as “amazing, energetic, and some of the hardest work” of his career.

He later joined Russell Bateman at Colette’s and then Restaurant Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road, working under

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He said:“I really struggled with London - I’m not a London boy - but I learned so much. When you’re in it, it’s too hard to see what you’re learning. When you come away from it, you realise how beneficial it was.”

From the Michelin circuit to independence

Before launching his own restaurant, Lee spent time as head chef at Meadowsweet in Holt, Norfolk, where the team earned a Michelin star.

He added: “That was probably one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. It was just so good.”

Restaurant 1812: a new chapter on the Broads

Now, Lee is channelling everything he has learned into Restaurant 1812 - a small, refined dining room set in a restored 19th-century building overlooking the river in Norfolk.

Lee Tyler, Restaurant 1812 - Pictures by Jessica Ball

He said: “It was first built in 1812, which is where the name comes from. It’s got big windows, the sun floods in, and we’ve tried to keep as much of the original character as possible - including the old kiln.

"It's just me and two front of house to start with. We’re in a rural area, so it’ll take time to build, but it’s such a beautiful setting.”

Looking ahead

For Lee, 1812 is both a personal and professional milestone - a chance to distil years of high-level experience into something truly his own.

He explained: “I just want to make it the best it can be. I’ve had some amazing mentors over the years, and hopefully, I can do them justice.”

written by abi kinsella

Pictures by Jessica Ball

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