Chef Ben Palmer Wiki, Age, Great British Menu, Wife, Family, Partner, MasterChef
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Ben Palmer Biography – Ben Palmer Wiki
Ben Palmer, born Benjamin Palmer, is an award-winning chef and the chef director of The Sardine Factory Restaurant in Looe. He appeared on MasterChef: The Professionals in 2011 and BBC2’s Great British Menu in 2024.
Growing up in Looe, surrounded by tourism and restaurants, Ben was inspired to become a chef. He had an interest in local Provence and fresh local ingredients from a young age, and was also directly influenced by his mother who was an amazing home cook, and his father who was a local gamekeeper.
Having done stages with Tom Kerridge and Gordan Ramsay, his skills have been crafted at the highest level. He was head chef for The Tanner Bros at The Barbican Kitchen and was executive chef at Glazebrook House in South Brent. In November 2014, Ben and his wife Francesca opened the Greedy Goose at The Prysten House in Plymouth, earning 2 AA Rosettes within just four weeks of opening. They also earned Barclay House 2AA* (Looe) and the Taste of the West Gold in 2015.
Ben opened The Sardine Factory Restaurant in July 2018, and received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019, and have retained it ever since. The restaurant used to be an old sardine factory, which Ben remembers as a child when it was used as fisherman’s stores. It was his dream to open a restaurant in his hometown, and when the opportunity arose to have a restaurant in the building, Ben jumped at the chance.
In 2023, Ben opened Yamas, a modern Greek restaurant in the same Cornish town. He offered a fantastic selection of traditional dishes that he learned about through his close ties with Greece.
Ben Palmer Age
Chef Ben Palmer was born in Looe, Cornwall.
Ben Palmer Wife
MasterChef quarter-finalist Ben Palmer is married to his wife Francesca Palmer.
Ben Palmer Family
Great British Menu chef Ben Palmer lives in Looe, Cornwall with his business partner and wife, Francesca Palmer, and his three children; Molly, Bobby and Loa.
Ben Palmer Great British Menu
The Sardine Factory chef Ben Palmer is a contestant on Series 19 of the Great British Menu on BBC Two. He is one of four chefs competing for South West England with dishes inspired by the Olympics and Paralympics.
Ben revealed his appearance on the professional cooking show on Instagram, writing: “I will be appearing on BBC’s Great British Menu this year! Having watched GBM for years, I am delighted to have been able to compete in this year’s competition! Repping the South West (of course) and cooking up a storm, alongside some very special chef mates.”
The Looe-based chef has been dreaming of appearing on the show for nearly 20 years, since the inception of the show in 2006.
“It was the first show of its kind that really showcased in house chef talent on a nationwide platform – it was so exciting to see those who were working so hard in kitchens behind the scenes, who might ordinarily be a little overlooked, being elevated to celebrity status based on their talents alone,” he said.
“Just a very inspiring and exhilarating concept that amplified my natural desire to excel in the space. It added fuel to my fire and to be on the show is proof that if you work hard enough at something you can make great things happen.”
Ben’s cooking style is heavily influenced by where he is in the world, drawing inspiration from the sea, and respecting the local South West produce. His menu reflects his love of local produce, and celebrates the Olympic flame arriving in Cornwall in 2012, from Olympia, as well as South West diving legend Tom Daley.
Fellow contestants
The other talented chefs competing in the South West regional heat are Harbour House Head Chef Andi Tuck, The Angel Executive Chef Elly Wentworth and Catch at The Old Fish Market Executive Chef/Owner Mike Naidoo.
Speaking about his fellow contestants, Ben said: “Going up against Ellie Wentworth, Andi Tuck and Mike Naidoo was a bit nerve-wracking as obviously Ellie has appeared on the show twice before and Andi did really well too but they were all absolutely amazing to work alongside and we all got on really well. The energy in the kitchen was fantastic and there were no arguments or dramas at all, which was pretty impressive considering the pressure we were all under!”.
Ben Palmer MasterChef
Award-winning chef Ben Palmer was a quarter-finalist in MasterChef: The Professionals in 2011 at the age of 25.
Ben Palmer’s Instagram handle is chefbenpalmer.
