Ian Matfin

Ian was born in Newcastle and learned basic cookery skills at an early age from his mum and gran. He started his cooking career at the city’s only Michelin-starred restaurant in the north-east at the time, Newcastle’s 21 Queen Street, where he worked under Terry Laybourne.

From there Ian worked at prestigious London restaurants including Claridge’s, Aubergine and Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons. He also worked for six years at Michael Caines’ Gidleigh Park, where he became head chef.

In 2009 Ian appeared in the fourth series of BBC Two’s Great British Menu, representing his native region, the north-east. Ian was Executive Chef at Michael Caines Restaurant at ABode Manchester for 4 years and during that time was awarded Manchester Chef of the Year 2009/10 and most recently awarded 128th Restaurant in the UK and fifth in the North West from the Sunday Times Top 200 Restaurants.