Ben Maddison, who grew up on Wellington Row, moved away from Whitehaven six years ago looking for a fresh start after failing an electrical apprenticeship and getting in trouble with the police.
He started his culinary career working at the Lodore Falls Hotel in Keswick, where he met his future wife and then worked his way round Michelin-starred restaurants in England.
Ben then moved to France, despite not being able to speak French, and worked as sous chef in Les Airelles Palace, a top hotel in Courchevel, quickly picking up the language and honing his culinary skills as he prepared meals for the rich and famous.
Ben Maddison runs a fine dining kitchen in Marseille after previously working at a top French hotel and Michelin-star restaurants across England (Image: Submitted)
He then secured a job as head chef at an up and coming fine dining kitchen, O’Canotier in Marseille, where he is currently working.
The 23-year-old has not forgotten his roots and his menu includes Cumbrian dishes which have proved a hit with diners in Marseille.
He said: “The restaurant is flying. We’re full every day. It’s great. I serve Cumbrian cuisine, as close as I can get and what I was eating when I was younger – bangers and mash, beef wellington.
“It’s different for the Marseille people. They’re not easy to cook for but my menu has gone down very well and they keep coming back. It’s an open kitchen so I can see the customers’ reaction.
“You sacrifice so much for this type of job and when it starts paying off, it’s great.”
Ben Maddison includes Cumbrian dishes on his menu at the up and coming fine dining restaurant in Marseille (Image: Submitted)
Ben said his long-term goal is to return to England and achieve a Michelin star but wants to keep developing his skills in France for now.
He said he has always hoped to open a restaurant in Whitehaven to offer a fine dining option and believes his hometown has great potential.
Ben said: “Whitehaven has got so much potential, being by the sea. I would use well-sourced local products. You see King Street and there are no businesses anymore.
“All I want is to give back to Whitehaven after I have taken so much from it in the past. I want younger people to understand there are always different paths they can take when it comes to careers and lifestyle choices.”