Jun Tanaka

Jun Tanaka is a renowned chef and the owner of The Ninth restaurant in London's Fitzrovia district. He has over 30 years of experience in the culinary industry and has worked in some of London's most prestigious restaurants.13 Born on November 18, 1971, in New York City, Tanaka moved to England at the age of seven and pursued a career in cooking.6

Tanaka's culinary journey began with apprenticeships at top restaurants like Le Gavroche under the Roux Brothers. He then worked his way through various Michelin-starred establishments, including Chez Nico, The Capital, and Marco Pierre White's restaurants.6 In 2015, he opened The Ninth, his first solo venture, which quickly gained critical acclaim.23

Key achievements and characteristics of Jun Tanaka include:

1. Michelin star: The Ninth was awarded a Michelin star in 2017 and has retained it every year since.36
2. Culinary style: He specializes in French Mediterranean-style cuisine, focusing on seasonal ingredients and simple yet refined dishes.25
3. Television appearances: Tanaka has been featured on several cooking shows, including Channel 4's "Cooking It" and BBC's "Saturday Kitchen".46
4. Competitive success: He won the final of the cooking competition "Chopped Champions" in the United States.3
5. Author: Tanaka published a cookbook titled "Simple to Sensational" in 2009.3

At The Ninth, Tanaka has prioritized creating a positive workplace culture, focusing on team development, mutual respect, and personal growth.15 This approach stems from his experiences in high-pressure kitchens earlier in his career, where he felt undervalued and disrespected.7