Matthew Benson-Smith
The Cooking School Principal Tutor

Former chef to Prime Minister John Major, Matthew Benson-Smith heads the Cooking School teaching team. He has more than 20 years cooking experience as Chef at Chequers and Head Chef in top hotels and acclaimed and award winning restaurants in London and across the UK.

Matthew’s passion for cooking fresh, high quality seasonal produce is only exceeded by his desire to help others to cook well and to achieve excellent results in a supportive environment.

Matthew joined The Cooking School from a teaching position at a leading North of England catering college where, for the past 2 years, he has developed and taught innovative courses, skills and techniques to young people. Matthew’s teaching experience, his wide and sound knowledge of food and an enviable professional career in the industry means he is ideally placed to deliver enjoyable high quality and informative courses to all at The Cooking School.