Great British Menu 2023 chefs: Tom Shepherd, Central Heat
Tom Shepherd, Chef Patron of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, is one of four chefs competing for the central region on Great British Menu 2023.
Series 18 of the competition starts on January 31 2023 on BBC Two at 8pm and will air for eight weeks.
Tom is going head to head with chefs Kareem Roberts, Thom Bateman, Marianne Lumb in a bid to represent the central region in the regional finals, and ultimately cook a dish at the final banquet.
This is Tom's first time competing in Great British Menu.
Full name
Tom Shepherd
Nickname
Don't have one.
Age/DOB
34, April 1988
Place of birth / residence
Born in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
Now resides in Lichfield.
Relationship status / children
Married to wife Charlotte, and has one daughter, Grace.
Height
6ft 4
Type of chef (restaurant, hotel, development chef, etc.)
Restaurant (Chef
Patron)
Favourite type of cuisine
Anything that you have to use your fingers to eat and wipe your mouth every minute.
Path to becoming a chef
Fell into it.
Past and present place of work
Former head chef of Adams in Birmingham, now owner of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd.
Personal and professional mentors / role models
Professional mentors, Sat Bains and Michael Wignall, personal mentors, Mom and Dad.
Guilty pleasure dish
Tiramisu
Best / worst thing about being a chef
Best: Team, food, support, seasons, ingredients, spirit, skill
Worst: Jealous chefs, sacrifice
Feelings stepping onto the GBM set
Absolutely ecstatic! Honoured to have been asked, buzzing to have been involved. Eighteen year old me would be very proud.
Plans for the future
Open another restaurant in Lichfield, and to become the best version of myself.
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Great British Menu 2023 chefs: Tom Shepherd, Central Heat
