The All In One Ultimate Restaurant List Interview: Tom Aikens

One of London’s Top 100 Restaurants 2013

Tom Aikens flagship restaurant in Chelsea has had a tumultuous history as in 2008 Aikens went bankrupt, but since it re-opened following a refurb it’s gone from strength to strength. It’s a new entry on our list this year at number 22.

Furthermore, his brand is expanding rapidly. In addition to Tom’s Kitchen in Canary Wharf and at Somerset House, there are more restaurants planned for London and beyond in the near future. “I’m working alongside my business partner on expanding the Tom’s Kitchen brand throughout London and the UK. We are also opening a Tom’s Kitchen in Istanbul in August 2013 and we have further exciting plans in place for the next few years.”

“I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to work for and alongside some of the world’s best chefs who have all helped me to grow and be where I am today. For instance, I worked with Pierre Koffmann for many years at La Tante Claire in Chelsea who was a true inspiration to me. I’ve also worked with the toughest of task masters, Joël Robuchon, who was all about the details. As well, going it alone and opening my own restaurant has taught me so much. Having your own business takes a lot of determination, hard work and self-belief but it’s also important to seek advice from people with different strengths. I learned that patience and perseverance is key - sometimes working as a chef / restaurateur involves taking steps backwards and forwards, learning from mistakes to move forward to get to where you want to be. The life of a chef restaurateur is never balanced or flatlined.”

Does he have any predictions for restaurant trends? “I think everything has been done and re-done these days. I am never one for following a trend as they will always go out of fashion and favour. The next best thing or the next big thing will also fall down the line of popularity. So I say, just do what you believe in even if it’s serving ostrich eggs scrambled with seaweed. If it’s a good enough product, customers will come.”

His personal favourite restaurants include the River Café and Colbert. “At the River Café there is great, simple Italian food and kids can run around in the garden if they get a little restless. Café Colbert in Chelsea is a great locale when I get off work late at night and want to treat myself to a bite to eat. The Clove Club with Isaac McHale is a great foodie place in a casual setting. As a family, we like to visit the Orange in Pimlico as they do great homemade pizzas, Sunday roasts and have a very good kids menu for my daughter Violette.”

This article is connected to Tom Aikens
Published Jul 9, 2013