12 Facts About Simon Hopkinson

Simon Charles Hopkinson was born on 5 June 1954 and is an English food writer, critic and former chef.

Simon Hopkinson published his first cookbook, Roast Chicken and Other Stories, in 1994.

Simon Hopkinson started his career at the age of 17 in the kitchens of Le Normandie in Birtle, near Bury, Lancashire, under the supervision of Yves Champeau.

Simon Hopkinson spent the next two and a half years as an Egon Ronay inspector.

Simon Hopkinson returned to London, and, after a three-year stint as a private chef, he was installed at Hilaire, which opened in Old Brompton Road in 1983.

Inside the restaurant, Simon Hopkinson continued his philosophy of well-judged simple cooking which he garnered from his influences Richard Olney, Jane Grigson and Elizabeth David.

Simon Hopkinson began a cookery column in The Independent and in 1994 his first book, Roast Chicken and Other Stories, was published.

Also in 1994, Simon Hopkinson suffered what he termed a "mini-breakdown" during restaurant service one evening.

Simon Hopkinson left Bibendum early in 1995 to devote his time to cookery writing.

Simon Hopkinson was replaced as the head chef by Matthew Harris.

In June 2011, Simon Hopkinson presented his cooking show The Good Cook, every Friday after The One Show on BBC.

In 2001, it was mistakenly reported by The Sun newspaper that Simon Hopkinson was dating British actress Helen Worth.