Tom Kerridge has revealed that he has considered changing his career following recent discussions with Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The 52-year-old Gloucestershire-born chef, who owns four gastropubs across England, met with Kyle to address ongoing concerns about business rates in the hospitality sector.
The UK Government recently announced that from 2026 to 2027, eligible pubs and live music venues will receive a 15% relief on business rates, supplementing the support outlined in Budget 2025. Additionally, business rates will be frozen in real terms for two more years.
Kerridge expressed optimism about having a direct channel to government, stating, “I feel positive about the fact I now have a line of communication into Government,” but also noted his frustration over the lack of understanding regarding the true costs faced by hospitality businesses.
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He emphasized how many establishments are working with “110 per cent costs,” meaning they need to generate a 10% return on revenue just to break even. This financial strain leads many to be priced out of the market. Kerridge highlighted the sharp increase in business rates at one of his own venues, The Butcher’s Tap in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, where rates have risen drastically from £50,000 to £125,000.
Although Kerridge is actively advocating for further reforms, he clarified he has no intention of leaving the culinary world for politics. “I have thought about it, but I’m not interested in the small stuff,” he said. He acknowledged that political involvement is often “thankless” and expressed profound respect for politicians while emphasizing that cooking allows him to pursue his creative passions directly.
He did leave the door open for potential advisory roles, particularly if the Government were to establish a dedicated ministry focused on the hospitality industry.
Currently, Kerridge balances running his businesses, television appearances, cooking, campaigning, and family commitments. Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, “In the early days, I thought about food all the time, but now I have so many hats — food is just one of them.” Despite his wider interests, his heart remains in the kitchen: “If I had to choose, though, I would rather be in the kitchen at The Hand, talking about new dishes and what we could change.”
Before his rise as a celebrated chef, Kerridge explored acting during his teenage years in the 1990s. He appeared in series such as Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, The Tomorrow People, and London’s Burning. Often cast in tough-guy roles, he humorously recalled being typecast as a “borstal boy,” bully, and even credited as ‘Thug One’ in London’s Burning.
At 18, Kerridge transitioned to culinary school and honed his skills in some of the country’s leading hotels and restaurants. He entered the gastropub scene in 2005, opening The Hand and Flowers in Marlow. The pub earned its first Michelin star in 2006 and a second in 2012, becoming the only pub in the UK to hold two Michelin stars—a testament to Kerridge’s dedication and talent.