London-born chef and author David Everitt-Matthias has been the co-owner and head chef of two Michelin starred Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham since 1987, a joint venture he shares with his wife Helen.In the 26 years that Le Champignon Sauvage has been opened, David and Helen have never missed a service. If the restaurant is open, David will always be in the kitchen, whilst Helen runs front of house. Le Champignon Sauvage has been a two Michelin starred restaurant since 2000. David and Helen live above the restaurant with their Boxers Alba and Truffle.
David began his career in 1978 at London’s Inn on the Park (now the Four Seasons), before developing his French-style technique while working under renowned French Chef at La Tante Claire. David moved on shortly after to become Head Chef of Grand Café in 1983. After two years there, David took his second head chef position at Steamers Fish Restaurant, and his final position in London was Fingals Restaurant Putney in 1987.
Married two years prior, David and his wife Helen moved to Cheltenham Spa in the Cotswolds to open their dream restaurant in 1987. Le Champignon Sauvage, meaning ‘wild mushroom,’ has become renowned for David’s creative use of local ingredients, many of which he and Helen forage themselves.
David is the author of three highly regarded recipe books: Essence: Recipes from Le Champignon Sauvage in 2006 and Dessert Recipes from Le Champignon Sauvage in 2009, the latter earned runner-up for Best Cookbook in the World from the Gourmand Book Awards. His third, Beyond Essence: New Recipes from Le Champignon Sauvage was launched in spring 2013.
No stranger to awards, some of the accolades David and the restaurant has received include 2014 Good Food Guide Chef of the Year, 2013 Observer Food Monthly ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award, 2007 Catey Chef of the Year, 2006 BMW Square Meal Restaurant of the Year, as well as retaining two Michelin stars since 2000.
David has appeared on Saturday Kitchen, Hairy Bikers and MasterChef Professionals amongst others. Restaurant critic Jay Rayner also included Le Champignon Sauvage in the 2013 May issue of Observer Food Monthly’s Top 20 UK Restaurants. A recent review in the Guardian Weekend (24th August 2013) gave Le Champignon Sauvage 10 out of 10 for food and 9 out of 10 for value for money.
- 2 Michelin stars
- Good Food Guide Chef of the Year, 2014
Suffolk Road
Cheltenham
Gloucester
GL50 2AQ
UK
(+44) 01242 573449
Images -Lisa Barber©