Welcome to the Live Theatre
We were thrilled to announce the introduction of a Live Theatre at the 2025 Catering Innovation Show, delivered in partnership with Chef HQ. We were also proud to welcome Claire Bosi as our host for the day. Claire guided the stage programme, introducing and interviewing a dynamic line-up of industry leaders and Michelin-starred chefs, with engaging discussions and live demonstrations throughout the event.
The full schedule and speakers were as follows:
- Jason Atherton & Spencer Metzger
- Jean Delport
- Kirk Haworth
- Danny Young (National Chef of the Year)
- Simon Rogan MBE
- Clare Smyth MBE
- Kat Stanley-Whyte
Previous 2025 Line-Up
Jason Atherton
Jason Atherton crafted his skills in prestigious restaurants under the direction of some renowned chefs. After working in several Michelin-starred restaurants, most notably at Gordon Ramsay Holdings where he launched Maze in London, he decided to embark on his own culinary adventure.
In 2010 he opened his first restaurant, Pollen Street Social, in London, which quickly gained recognition for its excellence and was awarded a Michelin star in 2011. Alongside his London restaurants, Jason has since opened critically-acclaimed restaurants in Shanghai, Dubai, Mykonos and St Moritz. His work is marked by a modern and refined cuisine that combines British and international influences, while emphasizing local and quality products. Most recently in 2024, Jason achieved 2 Michelin stars at Row on 45 in Dubai.
Spencer Metzger
Spencer Metzger is one of the chef industry’s brightest talents, best known for his role as Head Chef at The Ritz, London, a position he held until moving on in 2023. Flourishing in the competitive environments, Spencer won the Roux Scholarship in 2019 as well BBC2’s Great British Menu Champion of Champions series in 2022. TV star chefs such as Michel Roux Jr. and Tom Kerridge have raved over his food, which is firmly rooted in classic French cuisine – though he has picked up some more contemporary flourishes along the way.
In 2024 Spencer, alongside Jason Atherton, opened Row on 5 in Savile Row. The menu takes guests on a culinary journey through 15 courses, split between three acts across three venues, showcasing the best of British produce. In 2025, Row on 5 celebrated it’s first Michelin star.
Jean Delport
Jason Atherton crafted his skills in prestigious restaurants under the direction of some renowned chefs. After working in several Michelin-starred restaurants, most notably at Gordon Ramsay Holdings where he launched Maze in London, he decided to embark on his own culinary adventure.
In 2010 he opened his first restaurant, Pollen Street Social, in London, which quickly gained recognition for its excellence and was awarded a Michelin star in 2011. Alongside his London restaurants, Jason has since opened critically-acclaimed restaurants in Shanghai, Dubai, Mykonos and St Moritz. His work is marked by a modern and refined cuisine that combines British and international influences, while emphasizing local and quality products. Most recently in 2024, Jason achieved 2 Michelin stars at Row on 45 in Dubai.
Simon Rogan MBE
Simon Rogan MBE is a British chef and restaurateur, best known for his three-Michelin-starred flagship restaurant, L’Enclume in Cumbria. He is celebrated for his focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and innovative cooking techniques. Simon currently has 10 restaurants across the UK, Hong Kong, Malta and Thailand, with a combined total of 9 Michelin stars!
When l’Enclume, now awarded 3 Michelin stars, opened its doors in 2002, the objective was to master the greatest number of ingredients. So when the opportunity to own his own farm presented itself, Simon took it without hesitation. By growing his own produce, and sourcing ingredients locally, Simon can better understand and control the ingredients he uses, while aligning with the rhythm of the seasons in the Cartmel Valley.
Clare Smyth MBE
Clare Smyth MBE is the first and only British female chef to be awarded three Michelin stars for her restaurant Core by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill, London.
Hailing from the United Kingdom, Clare grew up on a farm in County Antrim, Northern Ireland where her lifelong love and passion for food and nature began. Since moving to England at the age of 16, she has worked with an uncompromising devotion to her craft, training in some of the most celebrated kitchens in the world including Alain Ducasse’s Le Louis XV in Monaco. She also worked under Gordon Ramsay for 13 years and was Chef Patron of three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay before opening her own restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth.
Kat Stanley-Whyte
We’re excited to welcome renowned mixologist Kat Stanley-Whyte to the Chef HQ theatre.
Kat brings over 13 years of industry experience, having honed her craft at esteemed venues like The Savoy’s American Bar in London. Her innovative approach to cocktails, particularly her expertise in agave spirits, has earned her accolades such as the UK Patrón Perfectionist title.
Experience the fusion of form and function as Kat redefines signature cocktails, pairing drinks perfectly with the Chef demos for an immersive culinary experience for the audience like no other trade show!
Kirk Haworth
Inspired by his personal journey in food and galvanised by his pursuit back to health, Kirk Haworth leads his team with unparalleled passion and vision for a more balanced food landscape. Using all that the earth naturally grows, Kirk takes vegetables to new heights; creating an innovative style that’s become synonymous with Plates.
He is the first plant-based chef to receive a Michelin star, a milestone moment for his London restaurant in its opening year.
After winning the North West Young Chef of the Year award at 17, Kirk went on to work under the world’s top chefs at The French Laundry, Pied a Terre, The Square, Quay in Sydney and Restaurant Sat Bains, perfecting his craft in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world for almost two decades.
In 2016, a diagnosis with Lyme Disease led him to overhaul his lifestyle and explore a plant-based diet in pursuit of health, revolutionising the way he cooked forever.
Danny Young
We’re proud to announce that Danny Young, Head Chef at The Torridon has been crowned the new National Chef of the Year and will join us live on stage to showcase their winning dish!
Since The National Chef of the Year’s launch in 1972, previous winners including Gordon Ramsay, Alyn Williams and Mark Sargeant, have seen how it helps fast-track careers and put winners firmly on the map. Being part of this event, whatever stage a chef gets to, creates many opportunities including wider industry and consumer recognition. Only the best, most innovative and creative chefs get a shot at the title and the chance to open doors to future success.