Heston Blumenthal is the culinary alchemist whose appliance of science to the art of cooking (called molecular gastronomy by some and kitchen science by Heston Blumenthal) makes eating at his Fat Duck restaurant in Bray an innovative and revolutionary experience.

Heston Blumenthal’s unusual and scientific approach to techniques and flavours (snail porridge and nitrogen-cooked green tea and lime sour, for example) has elevated the Fat Duck to one of just three Michelin-starred establishments in the UK today.

Blumenthal suffered the first real blow to his reputation in February 2009, when a food scare forced the chef to close the doors on the Fat Duck after more than 400 diners reported feeling sick after dining there.

The restaurant remained closed for more than two weeks, while the Health Protection Agency carried out an investigation. It emerged later in the year that contaminated shellfish had caused the outbreak, leading to reports that some diners were considering suing the restaurant.

But Blumenthal was praised for the way he handled the crisis and he remains one of the most respected chefs in the UK.  His makeover of the menu at Little Chef, for a Channel 4 documentary, led to a first for the roadside restaurant chain – an appearance in the Good Food Guide.

Blumenthal is set to make his debut in London in 2010, opening a restaurant at London’s Mandarin Oriental hotel, in the site formerly occupied by Foliage.

In addition to his more futuristic endeavours, Heston Blumenthal is also a champion of classic British dishes, the focus of his pub and hotel the Hind’s Head (also in Bray) and his 2007 TV series, In Search of Perfection.

Blumenthal has four books published: Family Food "A new approach to cooking" in 2004, Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection in 2006, Heston Blumenthal: Further Adventures In Search of Perfection in 2007 (in which he attempts to find the best way of preparing classic dishes, including fish and chips and Black Forest gateau) and The Big Fat Duck Cook Book in 2008.

 

Latest news on Heston Blumenthal

Three-Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal honoured by Craft Guild of Chefs

Heston Blumenthal working on NHS hospital food project

Heston Blumenthal set to open first London restaurant

Michelin-starred Foliage’s head chef resigns following Heston reports

Heston Blumenthal restaurant will open in London Mandarin Oriental

Video: Heston Blumenthal considers follow-up book for the home cook >>

Three-Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal demonstrates cooking to the Queen >>

Michelin-winning chef Heston Blumenthal to revamp Little Chef >>

Michelin-starred Heston Blumenthal has not sold restaurant >>

Heston Blumenthal to create dishes for Manchester International Festival >>

Blumenthal collects OBE >>

It's a Five-course Ritz cracker to celebrate Blumenthal's OBE >>

Blumenthal backs PhD in gastronomy >> 

Heston Blumenthal

Fat Duck food scare

Mystery illness closes Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin-starred Fat Duck

Number of sick Fat Duck customers rises to 400

Heston Blumenthal gets go ahead to reopen the Fat Duck

The Fat Duck: Business as usual after recent food scare?

Staff at Fat Duck may have had winter vomiting bug

Norovirus may have closed Fat Duck, says Blumenthal

Contaminated shellfish caused food scare at Michelin-starred Fat Duck

Fat Duck diners seek legal damages over norovirus outbreak

 

Little Chef makeover

Heston Blumenthal reveals the challenge of revitalising Little Chef

Heston Blumenthal’s Little Chef menu to go nationwide

Heston Blumenthal not consulted about Little Chef menu roll-out

First Little Chef revamped by Heston Blumenthal makes Good Food Guide

Little Chef mascot revamped to look more chef-like

 

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Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck

The Fat Duck named best UK restaurant in 2009 Good Food Guide >>

Fat Duck scores 10/10 in Good Food Guide >>

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The Fat Duck

Heston Blumenthal's Hind's Head

Blumenthal recruits former Michelin-starred chef to head up Hind’s Head >>

The Fat Duck	The Hind's Head

 
In-depth

Heston Blumenthal: Minute on the Clock >>

Heston Blumethal video clips

Heston’s explanation of salt  >>
 
Heston’s taste test clip >>
 
Heston’s perfect pizza >>

Heston Blumenthal recipes

CatererSearch >>
 
The Times Online >>
 
BBC Food >> 
 
The Guardian >>

Reviews on Heston Blumenthal

Jasper Gerard on The Fat Duck >>

Giles Coren on The Fat Duck >>
 
Restaurant Spy on the Fat Duck >>
 
The Guardian on the Fat Duck >>

The Independent on the Fat Duck >>
 
The Independent on the Hind’s Head >>




In Search Of Perfection

Heston Blumenthal on the web

The Fat Duck  >>
 
The Hind’s Head >>
 
Heston Blumenthal on Wikipedia >>

Heston Blumenthal on Amazon >>
 
Heston Blumenthal filmography on the International Movie Database >>
 
Chemistry World >>