Michael Caines
Michael Caines is Head Chef at Gidleigh Park, a two Michelin-starred country house hotel in Devon, and in charge of the food operations at his new chain of ABode hotels. He is recognised for his original and innovative cuisine, using his classical French training and the best regional produce from the West Country.
Born in Exeter in 1969, Michael was adopted into a large and caring family. His love of food came from big family meals and home-grown produce. After training at Exeter Catering College, he spent an influential three years under his mentor, Raymond Blanc. He then moved to France for a couple of years working under the late Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu and Joël Robuchon in Paris.
In 1994 Michael returned to Britain to take up his current position at Gidleigh Park. Only two months into the job, Michael was involved in a tragic car accident in which he lost his right arm. Remarkably he was back in the kitchen within two weeks, more determined than ever.
Michael founded Michael Caines Restaurants in 1999 and the next year opened his first signature restaurant Michael Caines at The Royal Clarence in Exeter. In 2003 he went into partnership with hotelier Andrew Brownsword, and together they are opening a group of boutique hotels and restaurants called ABode across the UK.
Michael is currently based in Devon, regularly cooking among side his chefs at Gidleigh Park and at ABode. In Summer 2006, Michael was awarded an MBE for services to the hospitality industry.
When is Gary Rhodes' Local Food Heroes next on?
Gary Rhodes' Local Food Heroes is next on at 9:00 am on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty.
Gary Rhodes' Local Food Heroes 2008, 6
Gary Rhodes scours the length and breadth of the nation to find the businesses that put great food on our plates. In Scotland, Gary is joined by chef and hotelier Tom Lewis.
- On at 9:00 am on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 10:00 am on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 2:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 3:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 7:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 8:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 12:00 am on Monday, 27th May on Blighty
- On at 1:00 am on Monday, 27th May on Blighty +1
Gary Rhodes' Local Food Heroes 2008, 7
Gary Rhodes continues to search the UK for the small businesses that put the finest local food on to our plates. In the Midlands, he's joined by fellow chef Silvano Franco.
- On at 10:00 am on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 11:00 am on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 3:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 4:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 8:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 9:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 1:00 am on Monday, 27th May on Blighty
- On at 2:00 am on Monday, 27th May on Blighty +1
Gary Rhodes' Local Food Heroes 2008, 8
Gary Rhodes seeks out the shops, cafes, pubs and small businesses that put some of the best local food on our plates. In the North East he's joined by fellow chef Brian Turner.
- On at 11:00 am on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 12:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 4:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 5:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 9:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 10:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 2:00 am on Monday, 27th May on Blighty
- On at 3:00 am on Monday, 27th May on Blighty +1
Gary Rhodes' Local Food Heroes 2008, 9
A culinary quest to find the UK's best local food producers, from pubs and cafes to shops and small businesses. In the South East, Gary Rhodes meets fellow chef Sophie Grigson.
- On at 12:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 1:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 5:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 6:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 10:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 11:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
Gary Rhodes' Local Food Heroes 2008, 10
Gary Rhodes seeks out the shops, cafes, pubs and small businesses that put some of the finest local food on our plates. In Northern Ireland, he meets fellow chef Paul Rankin.
- On at 1:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 2:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 6:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 7:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty +1
- On at 11:00 pm on Sunday, 26th May on Blighty
- On at 12:00 am on Monday, 27th May on Blighty +1
Michael Caines' Recipes
This wonderfully refreshing tart from Michael Caines combines crisp shortcrust pastry with a tangy orange filling and Chantilly cream to make a delicious dessert
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1 hr
Garlic, rosemary and thyme are perfect partners for Michael Caines' roast lamb
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Total time
1 hr 30 min
White and green asparagus spears are luxuriously coated in a classic French butter sauce enriched with truffle oil and double cream, from Michael Caines
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Total time
15 min
A herby stuffing to cook alongside your roast from Michael Caines
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Total time
45 min
Michael Caines makes a rich mushroom sauce to drizzle over crepes for an indulgent meat-free meal
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Total time
15 min
A simple, fresh tomato sauce with fragrant vine-ripened tomatoes and basil makes a quick and healthy pasta sauce from Michael Caines
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Total time
10 min
Michael Caines caramelises whole chicory in the oven while his lemon-scented chicken is roasting for a perfect pairing
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2 hrs 20 min
Michael Caines shares his recipe for perfectly smooth, creamy custard with a kick of cognac
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Total time
30 min
Michael Caines shares a warming, and quintessentially English, dessert from his childhood
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Total time
1 hr 30 min
Michael Caines’ classic banana cake is a must-have addition to your cake repertoire
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Total time
1 hr 10 min
