| Born | 1969 (age 42–43) Exeter, Devon, England |
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| Education | Exeter catering college |
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Award(s) won
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| http://www.michaelcaines.com | |
Michael Andrew Caines, MBE (born 1969) is an English chef, born in Exeter, Devon.
He is currently head chef of Gidleigh Park in Devon, the Royal Clarence in Exeter, and developing the Abode hotels concept with Andrew Brownsword.
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Born in Exeter in 1969, he was adopted into a family where his mother nurtured his love of cooking. He attended Exeter Catering College, earning him the accolade ‘Student of the Year’ in 1987. His first job as a chef was at the Michelin starred Grosvenor House Hotel in Exeter. He subsequently spent an influential three years under mentor Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in Oxfordshire, before moving to France to learn under Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu and Joël Robuchon in Paris.
He became the Head Chef at Gidleigh Park in 1994, but he lost his right arm in a car accident soon afterwards. In 1999, Gidleigh Park was awarded a second Michelin Star, and in 2001 Caines won Chef of the Year at The Catey Awards.
Michael Caines Restaurants Ltd was founded in 1999, and the Michael Caines Restaurant opened at the Bristol Marriott Royal in July 2003. However, meeting with Andrew Brownsword in early 2000 resulted in a partnership and the purchase of the Royal Clarence, Exeter in October 2000. Together, they have developed the Abode hotel concept.
Currently there are 6 hotels in the Abode group: Exeter, Canterbury, Glasgow, Manchester, Chester, and Salisbury. Caines is also executive chef for Bath Priory Limited, which own both Bath Priory Hotel and Gidleigh Park Hotel. Within Abode Hotels, exists Michael Caines Restaurants, as well as Michael Caines Taverns, Bars & Grills. Caines role within the Abode fanchise (aside co-founder) is Director of Food & Beverage. [1]
In 2006, Caines and John Burton Race represented the Southwest of England in the BBC television series Great British Menu[2] Caines beat the Dartmouth based chef to go on to the final round.
Caines was created a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) on 17 June 2006.
Caines lives near Exeter in mid-Devon, with his partner Ruth and their son Joseph and daughter Hope.
As an adopted child himself, he supports a number of local agencies, as well as amputee initiatives and charities. Michael is Patron of Families for Children, Adoption Agency, www.familiesforchildren.org.uk, a voluntary adoption agency covering Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.