Brian Turner Biography: Books, Ethnicity, Wife, Tv Shows, Awards, Restaurant, Height, Children

Brian James Turner, CBE, professionally known as Brian Turner, is a British celebrity chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality whose six-decade career elevated British cuisine through Michelin-starred kitchens, innovative restaurants, and beloved TV appearances.

He transformed early lessons from his father’s transport café into mastery at London’s elite establishments like Simpson’s in the Strand and the Savoy Grill, eventually earning one of the UK’s pioneering Michelin stars at the Capital Hotel.

Turner brought professional cooking to living rooms as resident chef on ITV’s This Morning and a fixture on BBC’s Ready Steady Cook for over 14 years, while hosting series like Anything You Can Cook and championing apprenticeships as president of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.

His CBE in 2002 recognized tireless contributions to catering training and tourism, alongside honors like the Cateys Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.

Profile

• Full Name: Brian James Turner, CBE
• Stage Name: Brian Turner
• Born: 7 May, 1946
• Age: 79 years old
• Birthplace: Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, Author, and Television Personality
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. Turner and Mrs. Turner
• Siblings: 3
• Spouse: Denise Parker
• Children: 2
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life and Education

Brian James Turner was born on 7 May 1946 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. His parents, Mr. Turner and Mrs. Turner, ran a transport café where young Brian, one of four children, peeled potatoes and flipped burgers by age 10, igniting his culinary spark.

He attended school in nearby Morley, excelling in domestic science despite its rarity for boys then. Turner trained at Leeds College of Food Technology for two years, mastering basics in hospitality beyond just cooking.

Mentored early by food writer Michael Smith, he apprenticed in elite kitchens—Simpson’s in the Strand, Savoy Grill under Richard Shepherd, Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne, and Claridge’s. He is of Yorkshire ethnicity; and his religion is unknown.

Career

Brian Turner kickstarted his professional path after catering college, diving into London’s high-end kitchens under Richard Shepherd at Simpson’s in the Strand and the Savoy Grill.

He honed skills abroad at Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne, then returned to Claridge’s before joining the Capital Hotel in 1971, where he and Shepherd secured one of Britain’s earliest Michelin stars.

By 1975, Turner stepped up as chef de cuisine post-Shepherd, launching the Greenhouse Restaurant and Metro Wine Bar while mentoring talents like Gary Rhodes and Shaun Hill.

A brief stint as chef lecturer in 1973 sharpened his teaching edge. In 1986, he opened his flagship Turner’s in Knightsbridge, running it successfully for 15 years until 2001.

Ventures followed: Brian Turner’s Restaurant in Birmingham (2002), Brian Turner Mayfair (2003), and Turner’s Grill in Slough (2005). He invented the Brian Turner S&C snack in 2003, expanding beyond plates.

Turner solidified TV stardom as a Ready Steady Cook regular from 1994, appearing over a decade and hosting BBC’s Anything You Can Cook. Guest spots piled up on Saturday Kitchen, UKTV’s Perfect, A Taste of Britain (2014), Life On A Plate (2015), and ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Morning—where Martin dubbed him “TV Dad.”

He judged Daily Cooks Challenge and popped up on Countdown. Restaurants evolved; Mayfair closed in 2008 for an Italian spot, but Turner consulted at Vivat Bacchus wine bar.

Awards flowed: Craft Guild of Chefs Special Award, Caterer Catey Chef of the Year, and Wedgwood hospitality honor in 1997.

He chaired the UK Hospitality Skills Board and earned honorary professorship from Thames Valley University for catering education.

Brian Turner serves as honorary president of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and vice-chairman of the Roux Scholarship, steering young chefs through apprenticeships.

He chaired Springboard FutureChef for 25 years, now lifetime ambassador, and trustees RACA’s Adopt A School, teaching kids food origins. Philanthropy marks marathons for AIDS causes and Anthony Nolan Trust support, plus PM Trust for industry newcomers. Queen’s Birthday Honours delivered his 2002 CBE for tourism and training services.

Leeds Metropolitan University (2006) and Sheffield Hallam (2008) bestowed honorary doctorates; 2025 Cateys Lifetime Achievement capped his trailblazing run. Despite a June 2022 stroke and lingering stammer, he returned to James Martin’s Saturday Morning in 2023, thanking medics.

Social Media

• Official Website: brianturner.co.uk
• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Unknown
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Brian Turner marries Denise Parker, and they raise two children whose names stay private. He shields family from the spotlight, focusing interviews on craft over personal tales.

He embraces modest living, prioritizing industry mentorship and family quiet amid decades of acclaim.

Net Worth

Brian Turner has an estimated net worth of $10 million. Restaurant empires like Turner’s Knightsbridge and Birmingham outposts generate core wealth, fueled by 15-year runs and expansions.

Television longevity—Ready Steady Cook, This Morning, BBC series—delivers royalties and fees, while cookbooks and S&C snacks add streams.