My Plate & Place with… Tom Kerridge

A Gloucestershire lad, Tom champions British food and suppliers and has become a leading name in the hospitality industry. From humble beginnings, Tom and his wife Beth built The Hand & Flowers into what it is today, the world’s first and only two Michelin-starred pub.

Tom has since launched several more restaurants, penned fourteen best-selling cookbooks, launched the hugely successful music and food festival Pub in the Park, campaigns tirelessly to help end child hunger in the UK with Full Time meals and more recently has established a partnership with M&S Food.

Tom opened his first London restaurant Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at Corinthia London in 2018. In 2025, Tom opened The Chalk Freehouse in Chelsea.

Tom kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to tell us some of his favourite things to do (and eat!) in London.

Describe your perfect day in London?

Start with a clear drive in, not too much traffic from Marlow. Hopefully with the sun out. Straight into Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at the Corinthia Hotel, where I check on the team quickly, before going to the F1 Arcade with my son, by St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Without a doubt, he will beat me before heading over to Covent Garden for burgers, fries and chicken wings at the BLOODSports Bar, run by a brilliant restauranteur, Scott Collins, the originator of MEATLiquor. Great flavours that chefs love, but also perfect for families; noisy atmosphere, high energy and exciting.

Then in the afternoon, it might be IMax Cinema or a matinée show before heading over to Sabor in Heddon Street. This is a brilliant, Michelin star restaurant, run by Nieves Barragán Mohacho. If you can get seats at the counter, it is the best place so you can watch the chefs as they work. Have a chat with them about their amazing produce and order the fish that’s cooked in front of you – whatever is the best catch of the day. And you need to order the tortilla!

Favourite restaurant?

Core by Clare Smyth is a special occasion space – 3 Michelin stars and outstanding cooking. Or Mountain in Soho, which has delicious food, full of flavour, busy and buzzy.

Best dish in London?

The play on Jollof Rice by Jeremy Chan at Ikoyi. Outstanding cookery, individual and unique. Also, any pie made by Nokx Majozi!

What was the last museum or gallery you visited?

National Portrait Gallery when Jenny Saville’s work was on a couple of months ago. Outstanding work by a brilliant artist.

Where are the best places to shop?

Always depends on what you are looking for. Who doesn’t love a wander around Selfridges or up and down Bond Street window shopping. But for a bit of everything, you can’t beat the King’s Road in Chelsea, then when you are hungry, a spot of lunch at The Chalk Freehouse.

Preferred bar or pub for a great night out?

I’m a non-drinker, so a night out for me would be going to a gig at one of the slightly smaller venues, to watch some live music. Shepherd’s Bush Empire is always a great one. Also, the Union Chapel, and for something with a bit more energy, The Scala.

Most relaxing place to unwind?

I am not really one for relaxing! However, given the chance, an hour in the spa pools at the Corinthia Hotel is incredible.

If you had only one day in London, where would you visit?

The Stoop by Harlequin’s Rugby Ground, to watch my hometown Gloucester beat Harlequins. (FYI twice this season!)

What is your top London tip?

Make yourself a bit of a plan. Don’t wing it. You can achieve much more with a bit of structure. But if you run out of things to do, take a trip to Borough Market, where you will always find something to please everyone. 

Tell us what you are currently up to?

Currently building a big push and drive, speaking to government and cross party about how to help save hospitality. With an understanding of growth, development for apprenticeship schemes, reinvestment and most importantly, a frank and open conversation about a reduction in VAT to around 10%, to fall in line with the rest of Europe.

Make sure to follow @cheftomkerridge to keep up to date with all his work and latest news.