Tom Kerridge, the celebrated chef and Great British Menu presenter, has revealed his emotional response to his son’s diagnosis with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The revelation prompted Kerridge to express regret that he hadn’t been diagnosed with the condition earlier in life.
In an interview with The Times, Kerridge shared how understanding his own ADHD has shed light on the difficulties he faced growing up, including the reasons behind his past alcohol dependency. He now feels better equipped to support his son Acey, who shares similar traits. “I wish I’d known about myself earlier,” Kerridge said. “It would have made it easier to understand why certain career paths didn’t work for me. Sitting still in an office was never going to work, and my son is exactly like me. I think I can now help him find a clearer path.”
Kerridge’s inspiring journey from a Gloucester housing estate to becoming one of the UK’s most renowned chefs includes achieving two Michelin stars for his pub, The Hand & Flowers. Despite his success, Kerridge has been candid about the personal challenges he faced, including his battle with alcohol. Before quitting drinking at age 40, he admitted to consuming large amounts of alcohol nightly. After sobriety, he notably lost 12 stone over five years.
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Reflecting on his ADHD diagnosis, Kerridge explained that it helped him understand his behavioural quirks rather than changing who he is. “Many successful chefs are neurodiverse, with ADHD or autism. The ability to find calm amid kitchen chaos is part of it,” he said. He described unique habits, like listening to two intense techno tracks at once, which provide him a sense of calm amid chaos. “My brain picks out elements from both tracks, and that’s very soothing. For me, there’s serenity in chaos—I need it.”
On the link between ADHD and his former alcohol use, Kerridge acknowledged that drinking allowed him an escape into his own chaotic world. “Alcohol addiction comes from a selfish place,” he noted. “It’s the one space where you disconnect and only you know how you feel in that moment.”
The NHS defines ADHD as a condition affecting brain function, influencing concentration, impulse control, and activity levels. Symptoms often include inattention, restlessness, impulsivity, and challenges with organisation.