Kate Austen

Kate Austen is a Michelin-trained chef and the winner of the BBC’s Great British Menu 2024. With a strong focus on the importance of resilience, ambition, and overcoming adversity, Kate demonstrates that hard work and true grit are the keys to achieving the success you dream of.

After achieving a degree in sociology, Kate entered the field of cookery with no culinary experience. She took on a chef position at Morston Hall Hotel, a 1 Michelin-starred restaurant, enduring a high-pressure, fast-paced environment as the only woman in a male-dominated space. She then moved on to work for Marcus Wareing in London, his restaurant at the time holding two Michelin stars, where she was the head of pastry. Kate soon became the youngest female head chef at Copenhagen’s 2 Michelin star restaurant, AOC. Following this, she took on a Senior Sous Chef position at Frantzen, which holds 3 Michelin stars and is ranked among the world’s 50 best restaurants. After her time at Frantzen, she worked as a Senior Development Chef for Gordon Ramsey. She is now a private chef in London.

With a deep passion and sensational flair when it comes to food, Kate is ready to take on bespoke events and catering for private clients, brands, and venues. Kate appeared on the BBC’s Great British Menu, not only winning the show but also becoming the first female winner in its nearly two-decade run. She has also been lucky enough to become an ambassador for Big Green Egg.

Her care and precision when it comes to food is evident in every dish Kate produces. She has worked with numerous high-profile clients, including Six Nations Rugby, Rolex, Jaguar Land Rover, Soho Farmhouse, Soho House, Pavilion Members Club, The Ned, and Google. A strong determination to push herself and be the best she can be is what makes Kate an impressive speaker on strength, female empowerment, discipline, sacrifice, and identity. Her unconventional outlook on attitudes to work has not only enabled her to succeed culinarily but also achieve the life she desires.