Profile - Marco Pierre White
Marco Pierre White was born in Leeds, England on 11 December 1961. He was the third of four boys born to Italian Maria-Rosa Gallina, who had come to Britain to learn English, and chef Frank White, who had struck up a conversation with Maria, at the Griffin Hotel in Leeds while he was playing cards. After marrying in 1958, they lived in a council house in North Leeds, and had sons Graham, Clive and Marco. Six years later Maria gave birth to a fourth son, Craig Simon. Thirteen days afterwards, she collapsed and was taken back to St Jame's University Hospital, Leeds, where she died of a brain hemorrhage.
White left High School in Leeds with no qualifications. After deciding to train as a chef he worked in the kitchen of the Hotel St George in Harrogate. He later worked at the Box Tree in Ilkley. As a sixteen year old he went to London. He began his classical training at Le Gavroche under Albert and Michael Roux, before moving to Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons to work for Raymond Blanc. He then went on his own, working in the kitchen at the Six Bells public house in the King's Road, with assistant Mario Batali. By the age of 33 White had gained three Michelin stars, and at that time, was the youngest chef to receive this accolade. In 1987 White opened Harvey's in Wandsworth Common, where he was awarded the first two of his three Michelin stars. He then became chef-patron of The Restaurant Marco Pierre White in the dining room at the former Hyde Park Hotel, where he gained his third Michelin star. White then moved to the Oak Room at Le Meridien, Piccadilly. Around this time both Gordon Ramsey and Heston Blumenthal both worked under him. White announced his retirement from the kitchen in 1999, to develop his portfolio of restaurants through his White Star Line company. Part of his portfolio includes 'Frankies', a chain of budget tasting Italian pizzerias in partnership with jockey Frankie Dettori. White is also dining consultant to cruise line P&O Cruises. White did his first Hell's Kitchen in 2007 before returning to front another series in 2009.
