Member Info
Executive Chef/Director – Chapter One, Locksbottom, Near Bromley, Kent
Born in Nottingham in 1971, McLeish attended Clarendon College of Further Education in Nottingham before qualifying as a Chef in July 1989. Following brief spells learning his trade in the UK, he joined world-renowned chef Nico Ladenis at Simply Nico before transferring to the fine dining restaurant, Chez Nico in 1991 as Chef de Partie.
1993 saw McLeish move to The Ritz, London as Sous Chef. His role at the five star deluxe hotel, one of the most prestigious names worldwide, included a two month term in Tokyo heading up afternoon tea for up to 160 guests per day.
Warmer climes beckoned, and McLeish transferred to the Mandarin Oriental Baan Taling Ngam on the Thai island of Koh Samui, one of Asia’s finest resort hotels. As Senior Sous Chef, McLeish was second in line to the Executive Chef, responsible for planning of work schedules, monitoring of food costs and the preparation and implementation of all menus.
In April 1997, McLeish returned to London to become Restaurant Head Chef for The Dining Room at the Landmark London, a five star luxury hotel, and in March 2000 he left the Landmark and joined Chapter One as executive Chef/Director.
In January 2001, Chapter One was awarded what is viewed as perhaps the ultimate culinary accolade – a Michelin Star which it has retained ever since.
In September 2003, Chapter One under the helm of Andrew and his team won the AA UK Restaurant of The Year for 2003/2004, as well as four AA rosettes, the first time ever a restaurant has been awarded two major AA awards.
The restaurant has retained its four AA rosette status ever since and in 2013 there are only 25 restaurants in the entire UK to hold four AA rosettes, so combined with its Michelin star, Chapter One is a unique restaurant.
