Richard Phillips, chef and proprietor of Thackeray's, Tunbridge Wells

Richard Phillips, chef and proprietor of Thackeray's, Tunbridge Wells

In November 2001 Richard Phillips (formerly head chef at Marco Pierre White's Criterion) embarked on a long held ambition to open a restaurant in his home county of Kent. His chosen location was Tunbridge Wells and the venue, a beautiful 17th century weatherboarded house with views across the Common; once the home of novelist William Makepeace Thackeray.

Nearly three years later Phillips' restaurant Thackerays has earned a Michelin Star and continually serves up classic and modern French cuisine of true class. It is now a well established destination Restaurant in the tradition of such eateries as The Fat Duck in Bray & The Merchant House in Ludlow. Those from London who make the trek down to Thackeray's on a Friday & Saturday night clearly know that they are in for an evening of wonderful fine dining matched by the dedicated service and décor. For Phillips however, the continuing joy of this venture lies in cooking for the new diners; his highly discerning, appreciative and loyal local clientele. Here Richard Phillips tells Restaurant Spy why and how he made the move to Tunbridge Wells and what we can expect in the future from the team at Thackeray's.

In the beginning...

Put some passion back in

Getting to know you

Local Boy buys good

Game of Two Halves

A Michelin Star

Doing Something that I love

The Last Supper