Tom Kerridge, the Gloucester-born chef and television personality, has built a notable career spanning culinary innovation, media, and business. After attending culinary school at 18, Kerridge worked in London restaurants before becoming head chef at Adlards in Norwich. In 2005, he and his wife Beth, a sculptor, opened the Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, which became the first pub to receive two Michelin stars. Kerridge, 53, currently oversees the Chalk Freehouse in Chelsea as well as Kerridge’s at the Corinthia Hotel in Whitehall.

Kerridge, a judge on the BBC series Great British Menu and host of Proper Pub Food, also maintains a partnership with Marks & Spencer. He resides in Marlow with Beth and their 12-year-old son, Acey.

When asked about his approach to money, Kerridge describes himself as a spender rather than a saver, particularly when purchasing items for his son. Despite an appreciation for quality in certain possessions such as watches and cars, he avoids material excess and often shops on the high street, valuing the personal interaction and atmosphere that physical stores provide. He expressed concern that such experiences may diminish as high street retail declines.

The Kerridge family owns two mortgaged properties in Marlow along with a beach house in Seasalter, Kent. Their businesses hold ownership of various other mortgaged properties, with a freehold for one pub site.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Kerridge credits his mother’s hard work and resilience for shaping his values. Raised in a single-parent household on an estate in Gloucester, he noted that his mother held two jobs to support him and his brother after their parents separated. He emphasized the sense of community in his childhood neighborhood, where his home was a safe gathering place for local children.

Kerridge disclosed details about his earnings, stating that he received a £9,000 salary from the Hand and Flowers, where other employees earn more than he does. Additional income came in the form of dividends: £15,000 from the Coach pub and £150,000 from the Hand and Flowers. His income from television and other ventures passes through separate business entities. Kerridge highlighted the challenges facing the hospitality sector, noting that of his seven businesses, a few operate at small profits and one runs at a significant loss.

His first job was working at a skittle alley in Gloucester at age 14, followed by his initial restaurant role at the Michelin-starred Calcot Manor. Kerridge moved to London at 21 to advance his culinary career.

On the notion of wealth, Kerridge associates it with comfort and security but admits that running businesses keeps him cautious. He identifies the birth of his son around a decade ago as a turning point in his financial confidence, providing reassurance about his ability to support his family. Nonetheless, he acknowledges a persistent underlying worry about finances, partly informed by his early experiences understanding the demands of paying bills and managing long working hours. He recalled the periods working overnight to produce bread for the market along with managing demanding restaurant shifts.

Kerridge noted that some of his highest earnings came from non-culinary projects, citing a single day of filming for a global Stella Artois advertisement seven years ago, which paid around £100,000.

Regarding retirement planning, Kerridge favors property investment over pensions, acknowledging that he currently does not have a pension and does not envision conventional retirement. He expressed skepticism about the state pension’s future viability, stating they might consider downsizing their home once mortgages are settled.

Throughout his career and personal life, Kerridge has maintained a grounded approach to success, emphasizing hard work, community, and the tangible rewards of his craft and business ventures.