Michelin stars and media careers: Ex-Gordon Ramsay chefs

The Staff Canteen continues its look at the chefs who trained under Gordon Ramsay and went on to carve out careers of their own.

In this second instalment, we spotlight four more chefs - from Michelin-starred leaders to rising media personalities - who each took lessons learned under Gordon and built something uniquely their own.

Clare Smyth

Clare grew up on a farm in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. After working at a local restaurant in her school holidays, she moved to England aged 16 to pursue a career as a chef.

She subsequently trained and worked in some of the most renowned kitchens in the world. She did an apprenticeship at Grayshott Hall in Surrey, then secured a role at Michelin House in London.

Before joining Gordon Ramsay at his eponymous restaurant in 2002, she worked at the St Enodoc Hotel in Rock and staged at The French Laundry in California and Per Se in New York.

Clare Smyth MBE spent over a decade at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, where she rose to head chef and, in 2012, became chef patron - the first and only woman in the UK to run a three Michelin star kitchen. Her leadership maintained the restaurant’s long-standing reputation as one of Britain’s finest dining rooms.

In 2017 she opened Core by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill, which quickly achieved three Michelin stars and is regularly ranked among the best restaurants in the world. In 2021 she expanded internationally with Oncore by Clare Smyth in Sydney. Clare also recently announced the opening of her newest restaurant Corenucopia.

Why not try making this recipe by Clare - Poached Scottish Lobster with Lardo di Colonnata, pickled vegetables, tomato, tarragon and a coral vinaigrette.

Mark Sargeant

Mark spent 13 years working with Gordon Ramsay, joining his group in the late 1990s and rising to head chef at Claridge’s, where he helped the restaurant earn a Michelin star in 2002. After leaving Gordon's group in 2009, Mark returned to his native Kent and opened Rocksalt in Folkestone in 2011, showcasing locally sourced seafood and coastal produce.

He went on to launch a number of projects, including The Smokehouse, The Duke William gastropub in Ickham, and a series of casual dining concepts. Alongside his restaurants, Mark

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has appeared on television (Saturday Kitchen, Great British Menu), authored cookbooks, and worked as a consultant. He remains a leading voice for Kent’s food scene and continues to balance hospitality ventures with media work.

You can also make one of Mark's dishes at home - Mark Sargeant’s pan fried sea bass with hot and sour broth

Paul Ainsworth

Paul Ainsworth spent three years working at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, before moving to Petrus under Marcus Wareing. In 2005 he relocated to Cornwall and, years later, took sole ownership of a modest restaurant in Padstow, rebranding it as Paul Ainsworth at No6. The restaurant won a Michelin star in 2013 and remains one of the region’s most acclaimed dining destinations.

Together with his wife Emma, Paul has expanded his portfolio to form The Ainsworth Collection, which includes Caffè Rojano, boutique guesthouse Padstow Townhouse, and pub The Mariners in Rock. His group reflects a mix of fine dining, casual eating and hospitality that has become central to Cornwall’s food scene.

Paul also appeared on series six of BBC2’s Great British Menu, winning his heat and then having his dessert dish chosen to appear on the final winning menu.

Why not have a go at making Hogget pudding by Paul Ainsworth.

Anna Haugh

Dublin-born Anna began her culinary journey in Ireland, training at L’Ecrivain under Derry Clarke before moving to London, where she worked under chefs such as Philip Howard, Shane Osborn.

Anna worked with Gordon in London, gaining valuable experience in his kitchens before moving on to establish her own path.

In 2019 she opened her own restaurant, Myrtle, in Chelsea, where she combines modern European cooking with her Irish heritage.

Alongside running Myrtle, Anna is a regular on television. She has appeared on Saturday Kitchen, is a resident chef on Morning Live, and joined the judging panel of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2022. She is now one of the leading female voices in UK hospitality, balancing restaurant ownership with a growing media profile.

Anna has also recently been announced as the new judge on MasterChef following John Torode and Gregg Wallace's departure from the series.

written by abi kinsella

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