John Burton Race Celebrity Chef
John Burton Race was born in Singapore in 1957, the son of a British diplomat, and he spent his formative years travelling the globe, experiencing a multitude of cuisines.
His family settled in Hampshire and his career in food began, including working as sous chef at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Oxford, and head chef and manager of Le Petit Blanc, Oxford.
In 1986, John opened a restaurant of his own - L'Ortolan, in Berkshire, gaining and maintaining two Michelin stars from 1986 until 2000. From 2000 until 2003 he ran The Landmark restaurant, in London's Landmark Hotel, and reclaimed not one, but two Michelin stars within the first year of trading.
John made a name for himself with his TV series, 'French Leave', and he became one of our most celebrated chefs as a result of his award-winning restaurants in London and the Home Counties.
John and his family moved to Devon and bought the restaurant of his dreams, the Carved Angel in Dartmouth. It was relaunched as the New Angel in May 2004 and the TV series 'Coming Home' followed. The restaurant won a Michelin star in its first year.
John, along with Angela Hartnett, attempted to reform some of Britain's worst kitchen offenders in the BBC Two series Kitchen Criminals. He was a regular chef on the BBC daytime series Step Up to the Plate in autumn 2008.
He uses local produce for his dishes, including freshly landed shellfish and seafood, beef from Devon's Red Ruby cattle, and Devonshire lamb and game.