Profile

Theo Randall, formerly Head Chef and Partner at The River Café, opened his fTheo Randall, formerly Head Chef and Partner at The River Café, opened his first restaurant, Theo Randall at The InterContinental to huge critical acclaim and success five years ago and hasn’t looked back since.

Theo’s rising profile has been bolstered by the many television appearances he has made of late. He was a firm favourite on Market Kitchen (UKTV) and has taken part in many other BBC shows including Celebrity MasterChef (BBC 1), Celebrity Edition of Weakest Link – Food and Drink special (BBC 1), Countryfile (BBC 1), Beat the Chef (BBC 1) Lorraine (ITV 1), Something for the Weekend (BBC 2), Food Poker (BBC 2) and Saturday Kitchen (BBC 1) as well as work for Food Network. Such is the excitement about Theo, several production companies are pitching for his own series.

Biography

Theo has also signed a two book deal with Ebury Press, one of the most respected publishers in the country. The first book, Pasta, was published in June 2010. He has also been selected as one of the chefs featured in Coco: 10 World-Leading Masters Choose 100 Contemporary Chefs. In addition to Pasta, Theo has written the foreword to Where to Go When: Italy (published through DK in October 2010) and contributed recipes to The Silver Spoon, due for release in Autumn 2011. Theo was also chosen by Gordon Ramsay as one of the chefs he most admires. To add to his many accolades, the Evening Standard have listed him as one to watch in their list of 1000 Foodies.

In 2008 Theo was approached by Pizza Express to create 4 special pizzas for their autumn menu. They were launched in October and revolutionised the much loved institution, indeed they have been such a success that decided to use them again in 2009.

Theo is much sought after as a consultant and he does a great deal of this work for Marks & Spencer, Zizzi as well as Bakkavor.

A relaxed and softly spoken character, Theo worked at the River Café since the early nineties. His role in its success cannot be underplayed. Indeed whilst Ruth and Rose were the enthusiastic owners of The River Café, Theo, a 'quiet creative force', oversaw the day to day running of the kitchen.  It was under Theo's direction that the River Café won its first Michelin Star and critical acclaim from all the major critics who have described it as 'a place of pilgrimage'  which has 'changed Britain's restaurant culture for good.'

Theo has also attracted high praise for his own restaurant with Jay Rayner describing the food there at ‘the best meal I have had all year’. When not busy at the restaurant, Theo spends his time in Italy and France researching new dishes and enjoying time with his family.

Updated 25/08/2011