Who was the first British chef to win 3 Michelin Stars for Excellence (eatery rating for exceptional cuisine)?

Marco Pierre White, a British chef and restaurateur, is a well known TV personality. He has also been called the country's the first celebrity chef, who acts like a pampered child on the UK restaurant scene. In 1994, at age 32, White became the first British chef, and at the time the youngest chef, to be awarded 3 Michelin stars, the eatery rating for exceptional cuisine.

The "Michelin Guides" have been published in France since 1904. The acquisition or loss of a star (noted in the guide) can have dramatic effects on the success of a restaurant and/or chef. To get 3 stars, the following must occur.

In winning one star, the restaurant must be considered "a very good restaurant in its category". For two stars, the criteria is "excellent cooking, worth a detour". To qualify for the elusive three stars, the restaurant must serve up "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey".

White, born in 1961 in Leeds, England, had his family come to the UK from Italy. As a child, he grew up in Leeds. He left Allerton High School in Leeds without any qualifications. White's father was a chef, and he decided to train as a chef. Marco's imminent success began at the age of 19. He went to London to train in classical French cooking with Albert and Michel Roux at Le Gavroche. He later worked with Raymond Blanc and Pierre Koffmann.

White now owns several restaurant brands; Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar and Grill, noted for classic steakhouse favorites, curated by White himself.