Michael Caines, MBE, is a truly original British chef, who has created innovative and original dishes which have earned him two Michelin stars and numerous awards and accolades, including `the UK's best all round restaurant' (Hardens) and `perfect in every way' (Sunday Times). For the last three years his flag ship restaurant, Gidleigh Park in Devon has been voted second only to Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck as Britain's best restaurant. In 1994 he took up the position as Head Chef at Gidleigh Park and in 1999 earned his second Michelin Star. Not long after starting at Gidleigh Park, Michael lost his right arm in a car accident but he was back at work within the month. `What my accident did was focus my mind,' he explains. With 20 years at Gidleigh Park under his belt, Michael is now a partner and director of the Abode Hotels group and 'Michael Caines Restaurants' in Exeter, Canterbury, Manchester, Chester, Glasgow and Bath. He has cooked at 10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister and taken part in the BBC's Great British Menu chefs' competition for the Queen's 80th birthday.