TOM KERRIDGE STANDS IN PUB
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Tom Kerridge weight loss: Chef fights back after regaining some of the 12 stone he dropped

Every day's a struggle for the chef

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Tom Kerridge embarked on a weight loss journey several years ago for the best reason – so he could be around to watch his son grow up.

He dropped an incredible 12 stone and – with some wobble along the way – has mostly managed to maintain the willpower to keep it off since.

But how did he lose the weight and how is he managing to stay in shape?

Saving Britain's Pubs with Tom Kerridge (Credit: BBC)
Tom Kerridge is a Michelin-starred chef (Credit: BBC)

Who is Tom and what is he famous for?

Tom Kerridge, 50, is a Michelin-starred chef from Salisbury, England.

After initially appearing in several small TV parts as a child actor, he decided to attend culinary school at the age of 18.

He has since worked at a variety of British restaurants, including the Michelin starred Rhodes in the Square and Adlards.

He opened the world-famous pub The Hand & Flowers with his wife Beth Cullen-Kerridge in 2005.

Read more: TV chef Tom Kerridge justifies charging £32.50 for fish and chips

Within a year, he had gained his first Michelin star.

In the 2012 list, he won a second Michelin star, the first time a pub had ever done so.

He’s appeared on several top TV shows including the Great British Menu, MasterChef and Saturday Kitchen.

Tom has also fronted his own series Saving Britain’s Pubs with Tom Kerridge and Top of the Shop, both for BBC. He’s also on Tom Kerridge Cooks Britain tonight (July 18) on BBC Two.

Saving Britain's Pubs with Tom Kerridge
Tom’s on another mission to lose weight (Credit: BBC)

How did Tom Kerridge lose weight?

Working as a chef food was always a temptation in the kitchen.

At 40 years old, he was obese, weighing 30 stone, and realised he had to do something about it before it was too late.

Tom Kerridge’s weight loss was down to a number of factors.

He quit booze, took up swimming and started following the dopamine diet and lost a whopping 12 stone in five years.

In 2017, he released a recipe book based on the diet entitled Tom Kerridge’s Dopamine Diet: My low-carb, stay-happy way to lose weight.

What is the dopamine diet?

The dopamine diet is based around the idea of increasing levels of the ‘happy hormone’, as well as losing weight.

There are many foods that claim to boost dopamine, such as fruit and vegetables, nuts, dark chocolate and eggs.

Tom’s ‘dopamine heroes’ also include dairy products such as double cream and yoghurt, good-quality meats including beef, chicken and turkey, and chocolate – in moderation!

Did he put the weight back on?

Tom Kerridge’s weight has fluctuated over the years. In 2021, he admitted that he had put some of the weight back on.

He then discovered that the percentage of body fat around his organs was double what it should be.

A few years ago I lost a load of weight but lately, it’s started creeping back on again.

Tom said: “I did not think I was in danger. A few years ago I lost a load of weight but lately, it’s started creeping back on again. We can make all the excuses in the world but the scales don’t lie. I’ve been eating all the pies!”

Tom Kerridge weight loss: How he looks now

He revealed that he had overhauled his exercise regime, though, in a bid to stay on top of his weight loss goals.

He’s recently been on social media looking like he’s dropped the ‘pie’ pounds!

Tom has been honest about his weight battle, though, recently admitting he struggles working around food all day long.

He told the Express in 2023: “One of the hardest things is to try not to eat all of the food, that’s the problem. My life is all about food.

“You know, if you spend your whole day being around food the whole time, you’ve got to try and find that balance between having days where you try not to eat anything at all, or very little. Because, you know, one day you’re going to be eating loads, and then trying to get to the gym as often as possible.

“I think I try to put everything in context and balance, but if your world is about food, sometimes it’s very, very difficult.”

Tom Kerridge and wife Beth
Tom and partner Beth (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Is he married with kids?

Tom is married to sculptor Beth Cullen-Kerridge, with whom he opened Michelin-starred pub The Hand & Flowers.

On December 21 2015, Tom and Beth welcomed their first child, a baby boy they named Acey.

Tom Kerridge Cooks Britain is on ITV1 at 8.30pm tonight (July 18).

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Helen Fear
TV Editor