Renowned celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has candidly shared the emotional impact of his son Acey’s recent ADHD diagnosis. Speaking to The Times, Kerridge revealed a heartfelt regret—that he hadn’t discovered his own ADHD earlier in life. Understanding his diagnosis now has helped him make sense of his past challenges, including his battles with alcohol dependency, and has empowered him to better support his son’s journey.
Kerridge, best known for presenting The Great British Menu and his acclaimed culinary achievements, described how ADHD shaped his experience growing up and influenced his career choices. “I wish I’d known about myself sooner,” he told The Times. “It would have made it easier to understand why certain career paths didn’t work for someone like me. Sitting still in an office was never an option, and my son is exactly like me. Now, I can help him carve out a clearer path.”
Raised on a Gloucester housing estate and having lost his father to multiple sclerosis at 18, Kerridge’s rise to culinary prominence is remarkable. After training under the late Gary Rhodes, he transformed his Marlow pub, The Hand and Flowers, into the UK’s first pub to be awarded two Michelin stars. His restaurant empire now includes The Coach, The Butcher’s Tap and Grill in Marlow, and several establishments in London.
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Kerridge has been open about the personal toll his success took, particularly his struggle with alcohol. Before quitting drinking at 40, he admitted to consuming vast amounts of alcohol nightly. After embracing sobriety, he remarkably lost 12 stone over five years.
Regarding his ADHD diagnosis, Kerridge emphasized that it hasn’t changed who he is but has offered clarity about his behaviors. “Many successful chefs are neurodiverse, with ADHD or autism,” he explained. “The ability to focus and find calm amid the chaos of a kitchen is part of it. Now, I understand why certain habits—like drinking coffee or standing a certain way in the shower—are essential to me. These rituals help regulate my feelings.”
He also shared insights into how what seems like chaos to others brings him calm and order. For instance, Kerridge listens to two intense techno tracks simultaneously, finding serenity as his brain picks out different elements from each. “I need chaos,” he said.
When asked about any link between his ADHD and past alcohol issues, Kerridge acknowledged a connection. “I loved the chaos of drinking, but addiction comes from a very selfish place,” he reflected. “It’s the one space where you escape into your own world—where you alone understand how you feel at that moment.”
The NHS defines ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition affecting concentration, impulse control, and activity levels. Symptoms often include difficulty focusing, organizational challenges, restlessness, and impulsivity. Kerridge’s openness brings important awareness to the impact of ADHD on adults and its interplay with addiction.