Theo Clench
Igni
Originally from Sussex, Theo started his career in hospitality at 14 years old working as a kitchen porter in a local restaurant in Brighton. He continued within hospitality throughout school and after completing his A-levels he dived full time into the kitchen life.
After a few years of gaining experience in restaurants in and around Brighton he moved to London to hone his skills, first starting at the Stafford hotel. Quickly realising the environment wasn’t for him he went to work for Adam Byatt at Trinity, where he cut his teeth learning and absorbing everything he could.
He left to open Bonhams restaurant as Sous Chef with Tom Kemble where they were awarded a Michelin star within 7 months of opening. He worked there for 3 years before being promoted to Head Chef. Theo has worked at The Clove Club, Portland and Akoko, putting the restaurant in the spotlight and the Top 100 at the National Restaurant Awards.
In 2023 Theo opened his debut restaurant Cycene. He was awarded a Michlin Star within 5 months of opening and landed straight in at number 48 at the National Restaurant Awards.
Chef Theo Clench has recently opened IGNI in London, a refined new live-fire restaurant in Mayfair, his concept focuses on elegant fire-led seafood cooking, seasonal ingredients and immersive fine dining, with the ambition of becoming one of London’s standout new restaurants.