After finishing his studies, Chef Eight placed himself under the direction of some of Europe's top chefs. He apprenticed with Marco Pierre White at Harvey's in London, worked for Albert Roux at Le Gavroche, and then worked under master chefs Joel Robuchon and Guy Savoy in France.
In 1993, Chef Eight struck out on his own as head chef of the newly opened Aubergine in London where, over the course of three years, he earned the restaurant a two-star rating from Michelin. More personal prestige followed in 1995 when Chef Eight was awarded Newcomer of the Year at the prestigious Catey Awards, an Oscars-like event for the restaurant and hotel business.
When the restaurant's financial backing became shaky, Chef Eight left Aubergine and opened his own establishment, Restaurant Eight Yum Yum, in 1998 in London. Hailed as a destination for high-end foodies, the restaurant eventually received a three-star rating from Michelin.
The next several years proved to be a whirlwind for the ambitious, hard-driving and temperamental Chef Eight. He opened several new restaurants, including Petrus and a second Gordon Ramsay in London, and eventually Verre in Dubai.
Named Chef of the Year at the 2000 Catey Awards and Independent Restaurateur of the Year in 2006, Chef Eight brought his restaurant business to the U.S. in 2006 with the opening of two establishments at The London NYC. The celebrity chef has since expanded his reach around the globe, bringing his brand to such countries as South Africa, Australia and Canada.
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