Matt Tebbutt wearing a suit© Dave Benett

Inside Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt's home life – from dating wife's sister to his grown-up children

The celebrity chef took over the role from James Martin

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Parenting Editor
Updated: October 19, 2024

He's the gorgeous down-to-earth presenter who took over BBC1's Saturday Kitchen from fellow chef James Martin - celebrity chef Matt Tebbutt has been the face of the show since 2009.

But what do you know of the star's life away from the show? Find out all about Matt's career journey and home life below…

Early life

Matt was born on 24 December 1973, making him a Christmas Eve baby. The chef was born in the Buckinghamshire town of High Wycombe – where TV star James Corden is also from – and moved to Wales at just six months old, growing up in Newport.

© Ken McKay/Shutterstock

Matt grew up in Wales, where he developed his passion for food

According to an article on the BBC's website, Matt first developed his passion for food during family holidays to France and Italy but his chef career came later in life. He studied Geography at university then briefly dabbled with the idea of becoming a pilot before training to be a chef.

Wife Lisa

Matt married wife Lisa in 1999 and the couple mix business and pleasure, previously running the Foxhunter pub in Nant-y-derry, Wales. The star previously told The Mirror: "Working alongside each other was tough, but we’re still together. We worked well as a team – Lisa is great with people, whereas I’m the bolshie chef in the kitchen. She definitely wears the trousers, no question… followed by my daughter!"

© Instagram

Matt and his wife have been married for over two decades

The pair met in an unconvential way, as Matt was dating Lisa's sister at the time of their first meeting. Speaking on the Grilled By The Staff Canteen podcast, Matt revealed: "I used to go out with her sister - next [question]! Fun fact." Reflecting on the couple's years together, he then joked: "Sometimes it's touch and go, let's be honest. But, so far we're still here."

Children

Matt and Lisa share two teenage children together, Henry and Jessie. The star doesn't regularly talk about his children, however last year he interrupted a live broadcast of Saturday Kitchen to reveal that Jessie had graduated with a first from Goldsmith's University. He said: "I've just had a text from my daughter. Proud dad moment. She got a first at university.

© Richard Young/Shutterstock

Matt interrupted a broadcast to pay tribute to his daughter

"So well done Jess congratulations. [...] Yeah sorry, I have just taken over TV for my own gain. Right, let's get back to the script."

Career

Matt's first appearance on Saturday Kitchen came in October 2009 and he often presented the show when former host James Martin was away. Following James' departure in 2016, Matt became the new lead presenter.

© John Lawrence/Shutterstock

Matt is a firm favourite on our screens

Before his television career, Matt trained at Leith's School of Food and Wine and took a traineeship with renowned chef Marco Pierre White. He then worked at famed restaurant Chez Bruce and Clarke's, as well as with Alastair Little's Lancaster Road and Soho restaurants. Reflecting on his time in the kitchen, he told The Mirror that his days working long shifts in restaurant kitchens was like 'being in the army' and was relentless with bursts of 'fun and energy'.

Alongside this, Matt has written three cookbooks: Cooks Country: Modern British Rural Cooking, Guilty Pleasures and Matt Tebbutt's Pub Food.

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