Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge has revealed his go-to weeknight dinner, a surprisingly simple air fryer meal featuring new potatoes, chicken pieces, and broccoli. In an interview with Men's Health Magazine, the 52-year-old explained that he prepares this dish when he has time to cook for his son, emphasizing the importance of straightforward meals.
Kerridge stressed that his son should not grow up exclusively learning about complex cuisines like Peruvian cooking or advanced techniques. Instead, he advocates for accessible, balanced meals. The chef's own weight loss journey, during which he lost 12 stone, has been supported by a diet focused on proper, unprocessed foods and regular gym sessions.
Nutrition experts confirm the health benefits of the three ingredients. Keeping potato skins on preserves fibre and essential nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. Chicken provides high-quality protein and B vitamins, including niacin, B6, and B12, along with selenium, phosphorus, and zinc. Broccoli, often labelled a superfood, is rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants.
Research published in Nutrition Research indicates that regularly eating steamed broccoli may lower overall cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. A US-based study also linked increased consumption of cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, to a lower risk of heart disease. These findings align with Kerridge's dietary philosophy of eating vegetables and protein cooked well.
The chef maintains a varied diet despite a chaotic schedule, sometimes relying on convenient options like pork scratchings and water while travelling. He has adopted strategies such as cutting back on alcohol and following a 'dopamine diet'—lower carb, higher protein, with quality fruit and vegetables—to support his transformation. Kerridge concluded that the best diet is one of proper, unprocessed food, cooked nicely.
