Michael Andrew Caines (born 3 January 1969) is an English chef.
He was head chef of Gidleigh Park in Devon until January 2016. He is currently the chef owner of the Lympstone Manor hotel between Exeter and Exmouth, which holds one Michelin star.
He became the Head Chef at the one Michelin starred Gidleigh Park in 1994 but lost his right arm in a car accident soon afterwards. BBC News Interview – Losing Power: Michael Caines In 1999, Gidleigh Park was awarded a second Michelin Guide, and in 2001 Caines won Chef of the Year at The Catey Awards. Caines departed Gidleigh Park in January 2016 and was replaced by Michelin-starred chef, Michael Wignall.
Michael Caines Restaurants Ltd was founded in 1999 and the Michael Caines Restaurant opened at the Bristol Marriott Royal in July 2003. However, a meeting with Andrew Brownsword in early 2000 resulted in a partnership and the purchase of the Royal Clarence Hotel, Exeter in October 2000. In 2016 the hotel closed as the result of a devastating fire.
Together they developed the ABode Hotels concept. There are 5 hotels in ABode Hotels: Exeter, Canterbury, Abode Canterbury Glasgow, Abode Glasgow Manchester, Adobe Manchester and Chester. Abode Chester Caines was also executive chef for The Bath Priory from 2009 until 2017, a position now held by Michael Nizzero. He was appointed Director of Food & Beverage for Andrew Brownsword Hotels in 2012, a role he held until July 2014.
Caines became involved in catering for the Williams Formula 1 team in 2013 and, as of the 2017 Grand Prix season, is seen regularly in Williams attire in the paddock.
Caines and John Burton Race represented the Southwest of England in the BBC television series Great British Menu in 2006. BBC – Food – TV and radio – Great British Menu Caines beat the Dartmouth based chef to go on to the final round.
Caines launched The Michael Caines Academy Michael Caines Academy in 2011 at Exeter College. In 2015, Caines resigned from Gidleigh Park and ABode Hotels to pursue other business interests.
Caines relaunched The Cove Restaurant, situated in Maenporth near Falmouth in Cornwall, which had been owned and operated by Arty Williams and Annette Rickard for 17 years. The relaunch began on 10 March 2020 and was billed to offer a "relaxed and informal approach to dining that is designed to attract families, locals and holidaymakers alike". However, after less than 2 weeks, on 23 March 2020, the Cove had to temporarily close due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown announcement. Caines has since sold the restaurant which re-opened under new management in February, 2025.
In August, 2023 Caines also closed his Porthleven-based restaurant The Harbourside Refuge.
Caines owned and operated Mickeys Beach Bar and Restaurant as well as Cafe Patisserie Glacerie, both in Exmouth, Devon, which have now been taken over under new management. Caines closes Devon restaurants Retrieved 22 March 2025
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