White, Marco Pierre (1961– )

English chef and restaurateur. Backed by his mentor, French chef Albert Roux, he opened his first London restaurant, Harveys, in 1987, and became the first and youngest British chef to be awarded three Michelin stars between 1988 and 1995.

His restaurants now include The Canteen Resaurant, Chelsea Harbour (1992, in partnership with actor Michael Caine); and Quo Vadis (1996), with an interior designed by Damien Hirst. His publications include Canteen Cuisine (1995).

White was born in Leeds, the son of an English father and Italian mother. He left school and home at the age of 16, and worked as a kitchen porter at the Hotel St George in Harrogate, before moving to the Box Tree at Ilkley, and then to London. His passionate enthusiasm persuaded Roux to hire him at Le Gavroche when he walked in off the street. He also worked his apprenticeship under the chefs and restaurateurs Nico Ladenis and Raymond Blanc.