Creative Director
Aspire Group

Steven Saunders' name is synonymous with excellence in the culinary world. Now Aspire Group's creative director of food and beverage, he is a Fellow Master Chef of Great Britain, the creator of much-acclaimed restaurants, the author of best-selling cookery books and a seasoned television and radio presenter. He is renowned for his use of simple, fresh and organic food and his successes have earned him outstanding awards throughout his career.

After training at London's Savoy Hotel in the '70s, Steven was just 19 and with Gough Hotels in East Anglia when he became Britain's youngest ever chef / patron - a unique achievement.He opened the Pink Geranium restaurant in Melbourn, near Cambridge, in 1986 and rapidly won a Michelin star and three AA Rosettes, holding the standard for almost 15 years. Steven earned the top young newcomer award from the Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine in 1988, along with a coveted Michelin red M. The Pink Geranium was the best restaurant of 1991, awarded by Raymond Blanc.

More success followed Steven's 1997 acquisition of the Sheene Mill hotel and restaurant, also in Melbourn, which was judged by Conde Nast magazine to be the most fashionable restaurant outside London the following year.

Steven's inspired work continued when he launched Steven Saunders at The Lowry, Manchester's multi-million-pound Millennium project, which was voted the city's best newcomer in 2000 and best restaurant in 2001. Concept restaurants Steven Saunders in Newmarket and Steven Saunders at Brocket Hall served diners fresh, organic food to great acclaim.

As Aspire Group's creative director, he is now putting his passion into delivering top restaurant-quality food and service at some of the world's most exciting venues, including Silverstone and the magnificent Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Steven's television credits include 'Ready Steady Cook', 'Good Morning' and his own Channel 4 show, 'Here's One I Made Earlier'. He hosted his own BBC programme on Cambridge radio for a decade, has written 10 best-selling cookery books and contributes to national publications.Steven is featured in Debrett's 'Who's Who' and 'People of Today' and is a patron of charities including Cancer Research and NSPCC.