Richard Francis Stein, better known as Rick Stein, is a renowned British chef, author, and television personality. Born on January 4, 1947, in Oxfordshire, England, Stein’s culinary career spans more than four decades. He is particularly known for his seafood dishes and his love for Mediterranean cuisine.
Early Life and Career:
Rick Stein was born into an academic family. His father, Eric Stein, was a historian and his mother, Dorothy, was a housewife. The family lived in Churchill, a village in Oxfordshire. Rick’s interest in cooking was sparked when he was sent to boarding school in Berkshire at the age of 11. He was not a good student, but he enjoyed working in the school’s kitchen. He went on to attend Uppingham School in Rutland and Winchester College in Hampshire. After finishing school, he went to Oxford University to study English, but he soon realized that he was not interested in academia.
In 1965, at the age of 18, Rick Stein left England to travel the world. He spent several years traveling and working in Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico. During his travels, he developed a deep appreciation for local ingredients and cooking techniques. He returned to England in 1968 and started working at a restaurant in Padstow, a fishing village in Cornwall.
In 1974, Rick Stein and his then-wife Jill Stein opened The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. The restaurant’s focus was on fresh seafood, which was caught by local fishermen. The restaurant was an instant success, and it quickly gained a reputation as one of the best seafood restaurants in the country.
Career as a Chef and Author:
Over the next few decades, Rick Stein established himself as one of the UK’s leading chefs. He opened several other restaurants, including St. Petroc’s Bistro and Rick Stein’s Café, both in Padstow. In addition to his restaurants, he became a prolific author, writing more than 20 books on food and cooking. His books include “English Seafood Cookery”, “The Seafood Restaurant Cookbook”, and “Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes”.
Rick Stein’s cooking style is heavily influenced by the Mediterranean. He is particularly fond of Italian and Spanish cuisine, and his dishes often feature olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. He is also known for his love of seafood, and he often uses traditional fish and shellfish in his cooking.
Television Career:
In addition to his work as a chef and author, Rick Stein is a television personality. He first appeared on television in the 1980s, presenting a cookery segment on a BBC program called “Nationwide”. He went on to host his own television shows, including “Rick Stein’s Taste of the Sea” and “Rick Stein’s Food Heroes”. His television shows have taken him all over the world, from Australia to India to the Faroe Islands.
Perhaps Rick Stein’s most famous television series is “Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes”. In this series, he travels around the Mediterranean, exploring the different cuisines and cultures of the region. The show was a huge success, and it spawned several spin-off shows, including “Rick Stein’s French Odyssey” and “Rick Stein’s Spain”.
Personal Life:
Rick Stein has been married twice. His first marriage was to Jill Stein, his business partner at The Seafood Restaurant. They had three sons together. Jill Stein died in 2017. In 2011, Rick Stein married Sarah Burns, a publicist. They live in Padstow.
Aside from his career in food, Rick Stein is known for his love of music. He is a skilled pianist and has even performed in public.
