Michael Caines talks high end cookery and learning from the greats.

Today’s guest is a culinary icon—one of the UK’s most celebrated chefs, with a career built on precision and perseverance.

His early training took him to some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens working alongside Raymond Blanc in the UK and Bernard Loiseau and Joël Robuchon in France. Next came a 21-year reign at the helm of Gidleigh Park, where he held two Michelin stars for nearly two decades. But his journey wasn’t without challenge. A near-fatal car accident early in his career meant learning to cook—and lead—with just one arm. What followed was a lesson in resilience, reinvention, and an unwavering belief in his craft.

Now, as chef-patron and co-owner of Lympstone Manor, he is cultivating vineyards, mentoring the next generation of chefs and above all is one of the most respected voices in hospitality. Today’s guest reflects on the dishes that shaped him, the mentors who guided him, and the quiet power of returning to your roots.