A Devon chef has stepped into the national spotlight after appearing in a brand-new ITV cooking competition that puts culinary talent under intense pressure.
Popular Exeter restaurant Crave has voiced its support for its creative director and chef, Tom Lodge, who features in The Heat on ITV2 and ITVX.
Hosted by Olivia Attwood, The Heat sees chefs from across the UK placed in a high-pressure cooking environment as they compete for the chance to prove themselves at the highest level. Throughout the series, contestants work under the guidance of multi Michelin star award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, who is opening an exclusive summer restaurant at Port Vell Marina and is seeking the next rising star of the culinary world.
Tom, who is originally from south Wales, began cooking professionally at the age of 16. He went on to gain experience at The Hardwick in Abergavenny, Lucknam Park in Wiltshire and The Savoy in London, where he staged under Gordon Ramsay, working alongside leading names in the industry.
He is now creative director at Crave in Exeter, working closely with owner Sameer Shetty to develop and evolve the restaurant’s menus while continuing to work hands-on in the kitchen. The restaurant said his appearance on the programme reflects the depth of talent within its team as it prepares to open a second site in Bristol.
Sameer Shetty, owner of Crave, said: “We’re really proud of Tom and excited to see him taking part in The Heat.
“He has played a crucial role in Crave’s success, and our menu development has gone from strength to strength with Tom’s support.
“To see someone with that level of skill and drive, at his age, step onto a national stage is fantastic.
“The Heat is exactly the sort of high-pressure environment where Tom’s focus and creativity really come into their own.”
Tom Lodge added: “Being part of The Heat was a brilliant experience and a real challenge.
“I’m grateful for the support from the team at Crave and looking forward to people watching the series.”
The show is designed to test chefs’ technical skill, creativity and ability to perform under pressure, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at professional kitchens.
The Heat aired on Tuesday, February 24 at 9pm on ITV2 and is available to stream on ITVX.
