Gary Rhodes
Gary Rhodes was born on 22 April 1960 in South London, but was brought up in Gillingham, Kent.
His father left home when Gary Rhodes was six.
Gary Rhodes had his first taste of success in the kitchen when he was 14 and made a lemon sponge.
Rhodes was educated at Thanet Technical College and Broadstairs catering college where he was student of the year and chef of the year in 1979.
Rhodes then worked as a commis chef at the Amsterdam Hilton. After just two weeks, Gary Rhodes was hit by a tram and needed brain surgery.
From 1982 to 1983, Gary Rhodes was sous-chef at the Reform Club and then moved to the Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge before becoming head chef at Whitehall, Broxted.
From 1986 to 1990 Gary Rhodes was head chef at Castle Hotel, Taunton, which earned a Michelin star each year he was there.
Rhodes then spent six years at The Greenhouse in London, before becoming chef and co-proprietor of city rhodes, Rhodes in the Square, Rhodes & Co in Manchester, Rhodes at the Calabash Hotel (Grenada) and Rhodes Twenty Four.
Gary Rhodes made his first TV appearance in 1987 and has since made numerous appearances as a celebrity chef including presenting Masterchef.
His hobbies include driving, art and fashion and he is an ardent fan of Manchester United.
In 1989, Gary Rhodes married Yolanda Jennifer Adkins.
In 2005 Rhodes and fellow chef Jean-Christophe Novelli took over from Gordon Ramsay as hosts of Hell's Kitchen. In 2007, they were replaced by Marco Pierre White.
Gary Rhodes's TV credits include Rhodes Around Britain and leading the UKTV Food search for Britain's Local Food Hero.
In 2006, Rhodes was awarded an OBE in the Queen's birthday honours.
In 2007, Gary Rhodes published Time To Eat.