Elliott Lidstone

At 16 Elliott went to Plymouth College for a two year catering BTEC, which included six months in Beaune, France.

At 18 he joined the Michelin Star kitchen at Chewton Glen as a commis chef, staying six years, working his way through the ranks to become junior sous.

In 2006, Elliott Lidstone seized the opportunity to work at L’Ortolan in Berkshire, under Alan Murchison. He spent six years there; the final two as head chef and helped retain its Michelin star throughout.

At the beginning of 2012, he moved to East London to head up the Empress, transforming the menu and kitchen. He was awarded 2 AA rosettes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand for his efforts and left in 2016 to open his own restaurant, with his wife, in her home city of Bristol.

BOX-E is a tiny restaurant in a pair of shipping containers that celebrates seasonal, sustainable and local produce. The restaurant has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2019.