Emily Watkins

Chef-proprietor of The Kingham Plough in Oxfordshire, Emily Watkins’ passion and ambition is evident in everything she turns her hand to. Deciding that office life wasn’t for her, Watkins travelled to Florence, where although lacking experience, she secured work in the kitchens of Ristorante Beccofino. After 2 years of absorbing the Italian love of good food and quality ingredients, Watkins returned to the UK, taking up a position at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in Bray, known for complicated gastronomic techniques and processes. Watkins started refining her own signature style – a combination of these two professional influences – which she further enhanced working as a private chef in London. She opened The Kingham Plough in 2007 with husband Miles Lampson, which has held 2 AA Rosettes since 2010. As head chef, she focuses on modern British cuisine, and has grown in reputation through her appearances on programmes such as Great British Menu, where she won the fish course in 2014.