Essex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5-1000x667.jpg" alt="What's cooking chef Mick Binnington " class="wp-image-24652" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mick-let-s-start-with-your-cookbook-what-s-it-all-about">Mick, let’s start with your cookbook. What’s it all about?</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.awaywithmedia.com/buy-books/food/mick-binnington" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CHEF</a> is a collection of my signature dishes and also some of my favourite things to eat. During my time in Michelin-star kitchens I learned how to create stunning food, and I’ve now simplified my style to let the main ingredient be the star of the show. As a result, my food can easily be recreated at home.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-why-did-you-decide-to-write-it">So why did you decide to write it?</h2>



<p>Because it’s always been a dream of mine to join my food heroes in sharing my recipes in a beautiful book.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-dish-in-the-book">Favourite dish in the book?</h2>



<p>That’s tough! I’d say it has to be my signature roast chicken with sherry and tarragon. It’s really delicious and my version&#8217;s something I can genuinely say I created. Served alongside skinny fries or potato rosti, you can’t fail to love it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-back-to-the-beginning-what-made-you-want-to-be-a-chef">Back to the beginning: what made you want to be a chef?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Sea bass Essex food chef " class="wp-image-24653" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I’ve always been pretty obsessed with food and eating, but to be honest I kind of fell into, and each time I progressed I was searching for the next step. It all snowballed from my first part-time pot washing job as a schoolboy in a local bistro.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-did-you-go-from-there">Where did you go from there?</h2>



<p>My last job was as Head Chef for Gordon Ramsay after spending many years in various Michelin one and two starred establishments. I then opened my own restaurant with rooms, The Windmill Chatham Green, which we had for five years until 2021.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-now-a-private-chef-why">You’re now a private chef. Why?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Private chef Mick Binnington" class="wp-image-24654" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I wanted to find a way to continue doing what I love, but also being able to spend more time with my kids. After a tongue-in-cheek comment when someone asked where they could now get my food, I said I could cook in their house – which led to them booking me! I realised there was a demand for taking my food into people’s homes, plus I could see much more of my family.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-own-cooking-style">What&#8217;s your own cooking style?</h2>



<p>I love simple, fresh food using local produce where possible, and of course making the most of the best of every season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-kids-are-starving-and-you-re-up-against-the-clock-what-s-for-dinner">The kids are starving and you’re up against the clock: what’s for dinner?</h2>



<p>Fajitas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinner-party-dish">Dinner party dish?</h2>



<p>Beef Wellington for that wow factor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-celeb-houses-you-ve-cooked-at-and-what-did-you-make">Any celeb houses you’ve cooked at – and what did you make?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="Celebrities Denise Van Outen Mick Binnington" class="wp-image-24655" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I’ve been fortunate to cook for a number of celebs. Usually, it’s three-course dinners including dishes like my ravioli of lobster with cognac bisque, fillet of beef and hot chocolate fondant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-meal-you-ve-ever-eaten">Best meal you’ve ever eaten?</h2>



<p>Oxtail and kidney suet pudding at The Hind’s Head in Bray.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-chef">Favourite chef?</h2>



<p>Gordon Ramsay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-cookbook-i-think-we-know-what-s-coming">Best cookbook? I think we know what’s coming.</h2>



<p>Mine! I also really like <em>A Rural Cook </em>by Richard Craven.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kitchen-gadget-all-chefs-should-have">Kitchen gadget all chefs should have?</h2>



<p>Thermomix. It’s a really versatile piece of kit, and most importantly a fantastic blender for making silky smooth soups and purées.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-dining-destination">Best dining destination?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Mariners in Rock restaurant" class="wp-image-24656" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Mariners in Rock for the food and views.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-food-on-holiday">Favourite food on holiday?</h2>



<p>I love the cruffins from Cornwall&#8217;s St Ives Bakery. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ingredient-you-couldn-t-cook-without">Ingredient you couldn’t cook without?</h2>



<p>Maldon Salt to bring out flavours – plus they’re local to me!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-cooking-tip">Best cooking tip?</h2>



<p>Always use the best quality ingredients you can.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-career-highlight">Career highlight?</h2>



<p>I’ve loved it all – and the best is yet to come!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-three-essex-ingredients-couldn-t-you-live-without">What three Essex ingredients couldn’t you live without?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/6-1000x667.jpg" alt="Maldon oysters" class="wp-image-24657" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Maldon Salt of course, Braxted beef and lamb, and Maldon oysters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finally-please-list-a-dish-every-home-cook-should-master">Finally, please list a dish every home cook should master.</h2>



<p>Omelette Arnold Bennett – the recipe’s in my book!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-5.jpg" alt="Chef by Mick Binnington cookbook" class="wp-image-24658" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-5-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-5-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-5-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-5-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>CHEF by Mick Binnington, £45, is <a href="https://www.awaywithmedia.com/buy-books/food/mick-binnington" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">available to order here</a>.</em></p>


What’s cooking? Award-winning Essex Chef Mick Binnington

You may also like