Brian Turner (chef)

Brian Turner CBE (born 7 May 1946 in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire) is a British celebrity chef, based in London. He has appeared as a cook on BBC2's "Ready Steady Cook" since 1994 as well as presenting other cookery programmes.

Career

Turner's mentor was the food writer and broadcaster the late Michael Smith. Turner trained at various hotels and restaurants, including Simpson's in the Strand and The Savoy Grill, both under Richard Shepard. Turner then went to "Beau Rivage Palace" in Lausanne, returning to England to work at Claridge's and then in 1971 the Capital Hotel where Turner and Richard Shepherd earned a Michelin star. In early 1973 he took some time to work as a Chef Lecturer. Turner then took over as Chef de Cuisine in 1975 after Shepard left, and then launched the Greenhouse Restaurant and the Metro Wine Bar. Among the chefs who worked with Turner at the Capital were Gary Rhodes and Shaun Hill.

In 1986 Turner opened his own restaurant Turner's, in Walton Street, Knightsbridge, London. He ran this until 2001, when it was sold. In February 2002 Brian Turner's Restaurant opened at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Birmingham's NEC, and in April 2003 launched Brian Turner Mayfair at the Millennium Hotel, London. January 2005 saw the launch of Turner's Grill at The Copthorne Hotel Slough-Windsor. Brian Turner Mayfair closed at the end of July 2008, to be replaced by an italian restaurant unconnected to Brian.

In 2003 he invented the 'Brian Turner - S & C' which was a tasty and nutricious snack - filled with calcium and fibre.

TV work

Turner worked for many years as resident chef on Granada Television's This Morning. He is still a cook on BBC2's "Ready Steady Cook" which he joined in 1994 as well as presenting other cookery programmes including his own BBC series "Anything You Can Cook".

Awards and honours

In 1997 Turner was awarded the Craft Guild of Chef's Special Award for achievement within the industry together with the Caterer and hotelkeeper Catey Award for 'Chef of the Year' as well as the 'Wedgwood Award' for outstanding services to the hospitality industry.

Turner has been the Chairman of the Academy of Culinary Arts for nine years and is the chairman of the UK Hospitality Skills Board. He has also been awarded an Honorary Professorship of Thames Valley University because of his work and commitment to The London School of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure and catering education in general.

On 15 June 2002 in the Queen's Birthday Honours, Turner was awarded a CBE for his services to tourism and training in the catering industry.

In November 2008, Brian Turner will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University for his services to catering.

External links

* [http://www.brianturneronline.co.uk/biography.aspx Brian Turner's website]