Tom Barnes

20 Years of The Simon Rogan Group (panel)

After culinary school and having worked in various Michelin-starred kitchens in the UK,  Tom returned to his home in the Lake District to join Simon Rogan’s team at L’Enclume in 2011. There, he quickly climbed the ranks from chef de partie to head chef in 2013, the year in which the restaurant won its second Michelin star. During his time at L’Enclume, Tom was named runner-up in the 2011 Young Chef of the Year Competition and was later awarded the prestigious Roux Scholarship. 

Eager to gain more experience overseas, Tom left The Lakes in 2017 to work at three Michelin-starred, Restaurant Geranium in Copenhagen. He returned in early 2018 as head chef at Simon Rogan’s neighbourhood Cartmel restaurant Rogan & Co. The restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star less than six months later. In 2020, he was invited to compete in the 15th series of BBC2’s Great British Menu, where he won the main course at the final banquet. 

Tom is now executive chef of Simon Rogan’s restaurants and operations in the North West, including three Michelin-starred L’Enclume, one Michelin-starred Rogan & Co, Henrock and Home by Simon Rogan. Alongside masterminding many initiatives surrounding the 20th anniversary of L’Enclume, Tom can also be found at several festivals and events such as Wilderness, Royal Ascot, The Big Feastival and chef collaborations around the country.