1 Michelin Star Chefs: Mark Kempson, head chef, Kitchen W8

The Staff Canteen

Mark Kempson is head chef at the one Michelin starred, Kitchen W8.

Mark Kempson has been head chef at Kitchen W8 since 2009. He started in the industry at 14, collecting glasses at a local pub, before training for three years at college.

Kitchen W8

kw8 crop

11-13 Abingdon Road, London W8 6AH

Head Chef: Mark Kempson

General Manager: David Chevalier

Co-owner: Phil Howard & Rebecca Mascarenhas

Reservations: 020 7937 0120

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.kitchnew8.com

Opening times:

Lunch
12.30-2.30pm Monday – Saturday
12.30-3pm Sunday

Dinner
6.00-9.30pm Monday – Thursday
6.00-10pm Friday- Saturday
6.30-9.30pm Sunday

Instagram: @kitchenw8

Twitter: @kitchenw8

Facebook: Kitchen W8

Biography

He then went on to work in some of the top establishments in the UK including Pennyhill Park in Surrey, Vineyard at Stockcroft, and The Square which holds two stars in the Michelin Guide UK, where he worked with Phil Howard for three years.

Cured scallops%2C mussels%2C shiitake and parsley

Cured scallops, mussels, shiitake

and parsley

His phenomenal skills, drive and passion for food add talent and strength to the team. His calm demeanour is inspirational in the kitchen and he shows a real understanding in providing food that people want to eat rather than just marvel at. 

Food style

He enjoys cooking from the heart, believing in what he's cooking and what’s basically a delicious plate of food to eat, and to deliver on that. It’s not overcomplicated or technical, what he does is about respecting the ingredients and making something delicious.

Biggest influences

Mark Wilkinson, Mark says, 'is such a dedicated man to the trade'. He opened Mark up to wonderful ingredients, and what he could do with them. At the Vineyard and working for John Campbell, Mark learnt  organisation, how to run a team and motivation.

He says The Square with Phil Howard, was where he really learnt the heart and soul of cooking and what food was really about.

"Phil was a great influence on me during my time there. Now I feel I’ve taken all of the best bits from everyone - it’s been quite varied, different styles, different characters, which all had a great impact on where I am now."

Kitchen W8

Kitchen W8 is a relaxed and friendly Michelin star neighbourhood restaurant which won a Michelin star in 2011, an accolade they have retained each year since then.

le turbot
Turbot 

The food style is modern English with a French soul. It is about integrity, simplicity and conviviality. Ingredients are centre-stage and they source them carefully from a short list of trusted suppliers. Menus change with the seasons to celebrate the arrival of new produce.

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The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 30th January 2018

1 Michelin Star Chefs: Mark Kempson, head chef, Kitchen W8