Great British Menu 2023 chefs: Tom Shepherd, Central Heat

Tom Shepherd, Chef Patron of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, is one of four chefs competing for the central region on Great British Menu 2023.

Series 18 of the competition starts on January 31 2023 on BBC Two at 8pm and will air for eight weeks.

Tom is going head to head with chefs Kareem Roberts, Thom Bateman, Marianne Lumb in a bid to represent the central region in the regional finals, and ultimately cook a dish at the final banquet.

This is Tom's first time competing in Great British Menu.

Full name

Tom Shepherd

Nickname

Don't have one.

Age/DOB

34, April 1988

Place of birth / residence

Born in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. 

Now resides in Lichfield. 

Relationship status / children

Married to wife Charlotte, and has one daughter, Grace. 

Height

6ft 4

Type of chef (restaurant, hotel, development chef, etc.)

Restaurant (Chef Patron)

Favourite type of cuisine

Anything that you have to use your fingers to eat and wipe your mouth every minute.

Path to becoming a chef

Fell into it.

Past and present place of work

Former head chef of Adams in Birmingham, now owner of Upstairs by Tom Shepherd.

Personal and professional mentors / role models 

Professional mentors, Sat Bains and Michael Wignall, personal mentors, Mom and Dad.

Guilty pleasure dish

Tiramisu

Best / worst thing about being a chef

Best: Team, food, support, seasons, ingredients, spirit, skill

Worst: Jealous chefs, sacrifice

Feelings stepping onto the GBM set

Absolutely ecstatic! Honoured to have been asked, buzzing to have been involved. Eighteen year old me would be very proud.

Plans for the future

Open another restaurant in Lichfield, and to become the best version of myself.