Alan rose through the culinary ranks from the four-star Loews Hotel in Monte Carlo to head chef at the Paris-based restaurant Newport Bay Hotel, the largest four-star hotel in Europe. He then opened his own restaurant in the Isle of Man before opening and running Kevin Woodford's restaurant. Alan became a lecturer of Food Studies in 1992, before becoming executive chef for the Scottish food manufacturer, Baxters of Speyside.

His extensive knowledge of food's origins, ingredients and history, combined with a brilliant sense of fun, has made Alan a regular TV face. Best known for his two BBC2 series Ever Wondered About Food, his credits also include shows about the cuisines of Northwest America, South Africa and Portugal, Coxon's Kitchen College and many more. He has also had appearances on Gloria Hunniford's Open House, Superchefs and Food Network Daily.

Alan is also a regular presenter at cookery festivals and is currently developing his own food range. He is also a winner of five gold medals for food sculpting, including the World Culinary Grand Prix 1997.

Books
The Single's Cookbook: Culinary Creations for the Single, Separated or Divorced, Tafelberg Publishers, 2000
Ready in Minutes: The Cookbook, Struik Publishers, 2005