Antony Worrall Thompson is a British celebrity chef and restaurateur. Affectionately known as Wozza, or AWT, he has been a regular fixture on the popular TV programmes Ready Steady Cook and Saturday Kitchen.

The Stratford-upon Avon-born chef went to Kings public school in Canterbury before studying catering management at Westminster Kingsway College.

He embarked on his catering career in Essex before moving to London in 1978 to be a sous chef at Brinkley’s Restaurant on the Fulham Road. He was soon promoted to head chef, and the following year he spent a sabbatical in France immersing himself in the local cuisine.

In 1981, Wozza opened his first restaurant, Ménage à Trois in Knightsbridge, which was renowned for only serving starters and puddings. In the following years he has opened a series of critically acclaimed restaurants, winning the Mouton Rothschild Menu Competition and the Meilleur Ouvrier de Grande Bretagne (MOGB)

No stranger to the spotlight, AWT has appeared on numerous television shows, including the reality TV programme I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! In 2003 and Emmerdale in 2008.

In February 2009, his restaurant business AWT Restaurants was placed into administration, leading to the closure of four restaurants and 60 job losses. Worrall Thompson turned to personal savings to keep control of two other restaurants and delicatessen, the Windsor Grill in Berkshire, the Kew Grill in South-west London and the Windsor Larder.

Latest news on Antony Worrall Thompson

Antony Worrall Thompson forced to close restaurants >>

Antony Worrall Thompson's restaurant empire goes bust - for more hospitality stories, see what the weekend papers say >>

Credit crunch forces Antony Worrall Thompson to close the Greyhound >>

Antony Worrall Thompson distances himself from pub which food hygiene inspectors rate zero >>

Interview with Antony Worrall Thompson >>

Antony Worrall-Thompson to buy Aylesbury's Chequers Inn >>

Antony Worrall Thompson criticises foreign workers for poor service levels >>

Antony Worrall Thompson video clips

Antony Worrall Thompson at the Henley Food Festival >>

At home with Antony Worrall Thompson >>

Antony Worrall Thompson: lower drinking age >>

Antony Worrall Thompson and Melinda Messenger Launch 'The Sweet Life’ >>

Links to blogs

I’m a celebrity >>

Antony Worrall Thompson enjoys Croydon! >>

Antony Worrall Thomson’s Faux Pas >>

Guardian Word of Mouth blog >>

Recipes

Garlic Terrine by Antony Worrall Thompson >>

Antony Worrall Thompson’s recipes on the Guardian >>

Paella recipe on UKTV Food >>

Reviews

Are you ready to order: The Notting Hill Grill >>

On the web

AWT online >>

Antony Worrall Thompson on Amazon >>

Saturday Kitchen >>

Antony Worral Thompson on Wikipedia >>

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