One of Britain’s most well-regarded and finest chefs, Tommy Banks, will be serving up a fine dining experience at Lord’s in 2021 when he becomes the opening chef of the new Edrich restaurant in a three-year partnership with MCC.
The contemporary restaurant will open as part of the new Compton and Edrich stands, due for completion next spring, offering Debenture-Seat Holders dishes that will boast the best of British flavours alongside the finest views on major international match days, especially curated by Tommy who is chef-director of the Michelin-starred Black Swan at Oldstead and Roots in York.
Born and bred in a small North Yorkshire village, Tommy’s first passion in life was cricket and he dreamt of becoming a professional cricketer. Life however took him in a different direction with his natural culinary talents leading him to swap cricket whites for chef whites.
From his family’s farming background and working in his parent’s pub kitchen at a young age, Tommy has become a highly acclaimed chef known for unique and innovative flavours and a dedication to sustainably sourced food, much of which he grows on his own farm in Oldstead. In 2013, he was awarded a Michelin star at the age of just 24, and he now owns and runs two thriving restaurants, as well as a premium food box delivery service Made In Oldstead. He has also won BBC’s Great British Menu twice, and is due to compete in a Christmas special of the show this December.
In 2019, he combined his two passions of cricket and food, heading up the kitchen for a sold out Lord’s Dining Club, an exclusive event in which Michelin-starred chefs host a culinary experience in the famous Long Room of the Pavilion at the Home of Cricket.
"His innovative dishes are an ideal fit for the state-of-the-art new stands"
The Club is delighted to announce the partnership with Tommy, and MCC’s Assistant Secretary (Commercial) Andy Muggleton said: “We have been eager to work with Tommy again since his outstanding evening at Lord’s Dining Club, and with his love of cricket and his world-class dining reputation, it’s the perfect partnership. His innovative dishes are an ideal fit for the state-of-the-art new stands, and together they will deliver the ultimate experience for our guests on major international match days at the Home of Cricket.”
Looking forward to the new collaboration with MCC, Tommy said: “I’m incredibly honoured to head up the new restaurant of such an exciting development at the iconic Ground. I absolutely love cricket, and Lord’s is the pinnacle ground for any fan - it is such a special place.
"Food is a huge part of a day at the cricket; after all, this is the only sport that still pauses for lunch and tea! That’s why it’s so important to create the highest quality dining experience. I can’t wait to get started on producing a cutting edge menu to match the contemporary new stands.”
The Edrich restaurant will be available to Debenture Seat Holders of the new Compton and Edrich stands.
To enquire about the Club’s Debenture Seat schemes email debentures@mcc.org.uk or call 020 7616 8726.