Michael Quinn (chef)
Michael Quinn, MBE, is a chef and charity worker who was Head Chef at The Ritz; the first British person to hold that position. He became a homeless alcoholic, recovered, and founded an alcohol awareness charity.
Biography
Quinn began his career as apprentice in Leeds, and in 1966 was declared 'Top Apprentice Chef of Great Britain'. He subsequently worked at Claridge's, and earned a Michelin star as head chef of Gravetye Manor, and headhunted by The Ritz in 1980. His success there led to him being known as the "Mighty Quinn". He made television appearances, and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). He appeared as a "castaway" on the BBC Radio programme Desert Island Discs on 17 March 1984.
However, by 1990, he was unemployed and sleeping on the street or in Salvation Army hostels, due to his alcoholism.
In 2001, after a period of recovery, he established the charitable Ark Foundation, which raises awareness of alcohol and drug abuse in catering colleges in the United Kingdom.
