Chris Galvin

Background

Galvin and his younger brother Jeff grew up in Brentwood, Essex.

Career

Their mother worked as a pot washer in a local restaurant. Galvin was then recruited by chef Paul Gayler to join the kitchen team at restaurant Inigo Jones. Gayler also subsequently recruited Galvin to join the kitchen team at the Lanesborough hotel where he was appointed as Executive Sous Chef.

Galvin teamed up again with Worrall Thompson in New York City as Head Chef at Ménage à Trois.

In 2003 Galvin was appointed by Jeremy King and Chris Corbin to open the Wolseley restaurant. The restaurant was recognised as the Best French Restaurant for two years running and Best Wine list in 2009.

In May 2006, the brothers launched Galvin at Windows, on the 28th floor of the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, with André Garrett (exOrrery) as their Head Chef. In 2010 Galvin at Windows gained its first Michelin star.

In November 2009 the Galvin brothers opened their first restaurants in the City of London.

Louisiana Chapelle and Café à Vin. Galvin Louisiana Chapelle gained a Michelin star in the 2011 Red Guide with Café à Vin awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. In 2012 the Galvin brothers opened their first venture outside London.

The Pompadour by Galvin and Galvin Brasserie de Luxe in Edinburgh located in the newly refurbished Caledonian, a Waldorf Astoria hotel on Princes Street.

Achievements

• Before returning to the United Kingdom in 1997 to join Conran Restaurants where he worked with Terence Conran for 10 years. Opening restaurants Mezzo, Bluebird and as co-founder of Almeida. The launch of Orrery where he worked for many years, saw him achieve his first Michelin star in 2000.