Michael Quinn (chef)

Michael Quinn, MBE, is a chef and charity worker who was Head Chef at The Ritz; the first British person to hold that position.[1] He became a homeless alcoholic, recovered, and founded an alcohol awareness charity.[2]

Biography

Quinn began his career as apprentice in Leeds, and in 1966 was declared 'Top Apprentice Chef of Great Britain'.[1] He subsequently worked at Claridge's, and earned a Michelin star as head chef of Gravetye Manor,[2] and headhunted by The Ritz in 1980.[2] His success there led to him being known as the "Mighty Quinn".[2] He made television appearances, and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).[2] He appeared as a "castaway" on the BBC Radio programme Desert Island Discs on 17 March 1984.[1]

However, by 1990, he was unemployed and sleeping on the street or in Salvation Army hostels, due to his alcoholism.[2]

In 2001, after a period of recovery, he established the charitable Ark Foundation, which raises awareness of alcohol and drug abuse in catering colleges in the United Kingdom.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Desert Island Discs - Castaway : Michael Quinn". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Stuff (12 August 2005). "The chef drank too much". Alcoholics Anonymous UK. Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2014.

External links