Luke Thomas

Luke Thomas is a young chef with aspirations, talent and an opportunity to make a big name for himself as he launches Luke’s Dining Room, at Sanctum on the Green, near Marlow in Berkshire, in late February 2012.

Born and raised in North Wales, Luke had to balance school with his passion for cooking. He studied at Connah’s Quay High School where he achieved his eight GCSE’s and then attended Yale College Wrexham for his NVQ Level 1 & 2 in Professional Catering.

The chef, now aged just 19, won Springboard’s FutureChef 2009, and has committed himself to cooking since the age of 12, working evenings, weekends and holidays. His portfolio of experience is already extensive and impressive, ranging from stages at a variety of UK establishments (Chester Grosvenor Hotel from 2008-2010; Soughton Hall & Stables Bar & Restaurant 2007-2010; Steve Vaughan Butchers 2007-2008; Individual Restaurant Company 2010-2011), to work placements alongside a host of top Michelin-starred chefs, including at The Fat Duck (2009), Rhodes W1 (2010) and Rhodes in Dubai (2010), Alinea in Chicago (2011), La Pergola in Rome (2011), Burj al Arab in Dubai (2011), and The French Laundry pop-up with Thomas Keller at Harrods (2011). In addition, Luke appeared on Market Kitchen (UKTV Good Food) in 2009, and can regularly be seen on BBC Wales.

Travelling and learning about food from top international chefs is an ongoing aspiration for Luke, who also enjoys meeting food suppliers and producers to gain insight into seasonal ingredients, all with the aim of fine tuning his own culinary style.

Luke has also been on Junior Masterchef and is on this year's Great British Menu representing Wales. His fly-on-the-wall documentary airs in April on BBC3 entitled Britain's Youngest Chef.