Clare Smyth

Clare Smyth MBE is one of the defining chefs of modern British cuisine.

She is the chef patron of Core by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill, London - one of only a handful of restaurants in the UK to hold three Michelin stars.

Born in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Smyth built her reputation through precision, discipline, and a deep respect for producers and ingredients.

She became the first British woman to run a three-Michelin-star restaurant during her time at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay before opening Core in 2017.

Core by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill

Opened in 2017, Core quickly became a landmark of UK fine dining. The restaurant earned:

• Three Michelin stars

• 10/10 Good Food Guide

• Five AA Rosettes

Core focuses on produce from across the British Isles - scallops from Scotland, lamb from Cumbria, vegetables from small-scale farms, and long-standing supplier relationships.

Signature dishes have included:

• Potato and roe

• Lamb carrot

• Core apple

The restaurant is renowned for its calm, highly disciplined kitchen and a service style centred on warmth, professionalism, and storytelling.

Early life and career

Smyth grew up on a farm in County Antrim before moving to England at 16 to train at Highbury College in Portsmouth.

Her early career included formative roles or stages at:

• Grayshott Hall, Surrey

• Bibendum, London

• The Waterside Inn, Bray

• Gidleigh Park, Devon

• St Enodoc Hotel, Cornwall

This classical foundation shaped the precise, produce-led style she continues to champion.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay: Leading at three stars

Clare Smyth joined Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in 2002.
She became head chef in 2007, making her the first British woman to lead a restaurant with three Michelin stars.

In 2012 she was promoted to chef patron, overseeing one of the most decorated kitchens in Europe until leaving to launch Core.

Culinary philosophy

Technical excellence - Clare's dishes balance classical technique with a modern, elegant style.

Memory and meaning - Many plates draw on her personal experiences, landscapes, and emotional connections to food.

Leadership with purpose - Clare is widely regarded for cultivating professional, respectful, and supportive kitchen environments.

Awards and recognition

• Three Michelin Stars (Core by Clare Smyth)

• MBE (2013) for services to hospitality

• World’s Best Female Chef 2018 – The World’s 50 Best Restaurants

• Royal Wedding 2018: Catered the private evening reception for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

• Multiple major guidebook accolades including the Good Food Guide and AA.