Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, 46, has spoken out about how things became “very difficult” between him and his wife Beth, when they had just opened their pub The Hand and Flowers back in 2005. The celebrity restaurateur admitted it all gets difficult when working together as husband and wife.
While Tom and Beth now have a son together, the star recalled the previous “difficulties” they experienced in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.
After he was asked about the pressures on his relationship, he divulged: “That was only in the very first year of opening, so that was over 14 years ago.
“When you work together as a husband and wife, it’s always very, very difficult to separate being a head chef and restaurant manager, and husband and wife.”
“It’s very, very difficult,” he added.
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“However, we’ve been through many kinds of business movements through the recession in 2008, to the position that we’re in now,” Tom explained.
“It’s an incredibly tight and fantastic relationship that is built upon not only huge amounts of business drives, but also a huge amount of trust and friendship.”
Tom concluded: “It is the most complete marriage.”
After the couple opened The Hand and Flowers, they gained their first Michelin star a year later.
“I reckon I put on the best part of nine stone since I opened here.”
Elsewhere, the TV star shared his thoughts on replacing Jon Torode and Gregg Wallace on BBC’s MasterChef.
Tom, who has previously assisted the MasterChef favourites throughout his career, shared: “Not as a contestant, most definitely not.
“The nerves of cooking on competition television is way too much. I’m very happy about working in restaurants.
“Being involved in MasterChef, when it comes to working with Gregg and with John – we’ve done that a number of times.”
When Tom was pressed on whether he would be keen to present the show solo, he confessed: “I don’t think there are any plans for Gregg or John to leave MasterChef.
“Would MasterChef be the same without Gregg or John? I can’t see it.”
Gregg and John have hosted the revamped MasterChef since 2005, after late Gary Rhodes presented the programme in 2001 as Lloyd Grossman’s replacement.