Alan Coxon
“The Food Archaeologist” has established a reputation as one of the world’s favourite TV chefs and presenters, with exceptional culinary talent and an unparalleled knowledge for the earliest origins of ingredients.
Alan has filmed more than 1,250 TV Food shows to date that have been screened in more than 89 countries around the world for BBC Worldwide, Food network, Channel 5 and ITV1 to name but a few.
A writer of 5 award winning cookbooks ( a 6thcurrently being finalised) , the creator of a multi award winning food range, Alan also travels the world cooking for VIP functions and delivering entertaining informative cookery demonstrations, TEDx talks, and an international iTQi judge in Brussels.
*2016 and 2017: Alan is a speaker, moderator and member of the committee for the “ Chefs World Summit” Monte Carlo as well as one of the 12 selected chefs to create and deliver canapés for the launch of the “Le Chef” magazines inaugural launch and the announcement of the “50 Best Chefs of the World”
*In Nov 2016 Alan was invited by TEDx to deliver a speech on the “Sexology of Taste” entitled “50 Tastes of Grey” in Monte Carlo
*2017: Alan has been included in a new charity cookbook entitled “Signature dishes” incorporating the UK`s top 50 chefs , a second book of the same title also featuring Alan and desserts will be released in 2018.
*In 2017 Alan represented 65 International Chefs and delivered a speech at the Theatre Du Parc inn Brussels to more than 500 food and drink producers from around the world on the olerific and gustatory evaluation process.
*Alan was invited by the British Prime Minister’s office and downing street to become the “British Ambassador of food and drink” and has travelled to many parts of the world cooking for British Ambassadors and VIP`s helping to promote gastronomy and ingredients.
To date Alan has delivered a large formal banquet for 750 global authors, diplomatic Ambassadors , government ministers and VIP`s in Mexico, as well as running the Hilton hotel in Guadalajara for a week with special themed dishes.
Two functions, lunches and cookery demonstrations at the British Embassy in Sophia Bulgaria.
Organised and implemented special events, functions and cookery demonstrations promoting British ingredients and British producers inChandigarh India working with the British High commission.
And recently delivered a function and cookery demonstration for 250 guests at the British High Commission in Kingston Jamaica.
*Alan`s diplomatic role also encompasses training and development for local catering colleges and students in all the aforementioned countries, whilst his media role includes, TV interviews, cooking on national and regional TV shows, press and media interviews, talks, radio and magazine interviews.
*Alan is currently using his many years, skills, knowledge and contacts within the food and retail industry to support several global food producers enter the retail market place, assist with product development and consultancy.
Alan`s culinary career has seen him work in a variety of leading hotels and restaurants across Europe, including Michelin star restaurants in Monte Carlo and as head chef he opened the largest 4 star hotel in Europe, consisting of a 1098 rooms and leading an international culinary brigade of over 68 chefs.
Alan created 3 unique multi award winning products including the globally unique Ale-Gar tm (brewed form a 15th century Ale recipe.
Alan`s latest series entitled “From Birmingham to Bombay” looks at the history and origination of 5 of Britain’s most popular curries and sees him traveling to 6 locations across India to do the ultimate comparisons.
An e-book print on demand is available to accompany the series.
In addition to filming for TV networks, Alan also films short promotional video`s for private companies , including Louisburg Seafood’s looking at the snow crab of Nova Scotia , the history of Louisburg Fortress, a short internet biscuit advert for Mc Vites. and a seafood journey across China entitled Fish4 Yu.
TV appearances include ……………..
“From Birmingham to Bombay” 2012 / 2013 A series that Alan wrote, produced, co-directed, presented and exec produced.
The series looks at 5 of the most popular curries in the UK and traces them back to the original recipes and locations in and around 5 destinations in India.
Two series of BBC2’s ‘Ever Wondered About Food’ averaged 1.3 million viewers and gave a fascinating insight into the historical and social science behind Britain’s favourite dishes.
Coxon’s Sporting Feast’ ( BBC Food/Worldwide /DSTV )
I worked with a few of the world’s sporting legends cooking with them in their own homes.
I looked at what made these sporting legends tick, and how food played an all important part to their physical fitness and success.
Legends include Golfer Gary Player, Runner Zola Budd, Rugby ace Francois Pienaar , 4 times world Champion Boxer Baby Jake, Cricketer Alan Donald and Football legend Jomo Somo ( the series is being screened in over 80 countries around the world )
‘Coxon’s Royal Feast’ (BBC Food / DSTV / Worldwide)
This unique series of 6 30 minute shows was ground breaking in the fact that never before had Southern African Royalty and rulers been exposed to cooking on TV or allowing a film
crew to film behind the scenes in the Royal homes.
Royalty such as His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelethini leader of the Zulu nation , The Xhosa Kings and Queens ,Kings Letsie III of Lesotho and the Ndebele royalty to name but a few , allowed Alan into their lives and offering a culinary and cultural journey beyond belief
‘Head To Head’ (Sky, Channel 287) working with Toyah Wilcox, Richard Orford and Paul Bloxham, to look at culture, global cuisine , lifestyles and property investment around the world .
UK Food Great Food Live and Great Food Bites , presented by Jeni Barnett.
I worked on the daily live series for over 4 years, as regular guest presenter and guest chef.
Gloria Hunniford Open House ( Channel 5 )
I worked on this live afternoon chat show for over 4 years as regular weekly guest chef I met and cooked with major celebrities from around the globe, from Sir Cliff Richard, to Donny Osmond.
Coxon`s Kitchen College ( Carlton Food Network ) A total 244 shows filmed as live to time in front of an audience .
A series that allowed me to express my deep found knowledge of food and ingredients , taking the viewer on an informative culinary journey.
A series of Coxon`s Christmas College also followed due to the positive viewer response..
The Mint ( ITV1) Alan co-presented 9 shows of this new format game show , a live show that aired nonstop for 4 hours, whilst there were no cooking sequences within the show it allowed Alan to venture into new presentation grounds and an opportunity to show his diversity and dexterity in television presentation.
From Portugal with Love (Carlton Food Network ) a series that I wrote, co-produced and presented, which took me the length and breadth of Portugal , revealing its wonderful culinary heritage and stunning environmental diversity.
Touring South Africa ( Carlton Food Network ) A food and travel log, covering the diversity of Southern Africa and its cuisine.
Land of Plenty, Touring North West America , From Oregon to Vancouver, investigating the diversity and influences of regional cuisine , from the foods of the Native American Indians to the dizzy heights of the Space needle restaurant in Seattle.
Surprise Chefs ( ITV Meridian ) 2 series co-presented with Lesley Waters , a regional TV show where we stormed a general shopper then invited myself to cook whatever they carried within their shopping basket back at their home.
Other guest appearances include Kill it Cook it Eat it ,Britain’s Favourite dishes, Aunties Bloomers, Alright on the night etc.. etc..
Radio , Magazines and Cookbooks.
Alan been involved with several Radio awareness Campaigns including UK wide Potato awareness and Divine Fair Trade Chocolate as well as I had a regular weekly food show as “the food doctor” for BBC Hereford and Worcester.
He also writes a monthly feature for a variety of magazines including the Vale and Cotswold magazine and Chaat magazine.
Awards, Accolades and professional associations
Professional memberships
Member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts
Member of the Craft Guild of Chefs
Holder of the Maitrise Escoffier Award
Holder of the Palmes Culinaire
Member of the Craft Guild of Food Writers
Member of the international panel of iTQi judges 2010 – 2017
Judge of the “Legacy of Taste Awards “Best Chinese restaurant of the year 2010 and 2011.
Member of International Writers Travel Alliance and Craft Guild of writers
Honorary Colonel of the state of Kentucky
Ambassador for Worcester food group 2011 and 2012
Ambassador of the Stratford Upon Avon Food Festival 2011 and 2012
British Ambassador for food drink and tourism 2014-2017
Alan been involved with several Radio awareness Campaigns including UK wide Potato awareness and Divine Fair Trade Chocolate as well as I had a regular weekly food show as “the food doctor” for BBC Hereford and Worcester.
He also writes a monthly feature for a variety of magazines including the Vale and Cotswold magazine and Chaat magazine.
Awards, Accolades and professional associations
Awarded the Maitrise Escoffier Awarded
Awarded the Palmes Culinaire
Winner: iTQi 2Gold stars for Macadamia nut oil Brussels 2013
Winner MBA “Entrepreneur of the year 2012”
Winner iTQi Superior Taste Award for “Ale-Gar” ( Brussels May 2010
Winner of 5 International gold Medals for Fat Carving.
Winner Hotelkeeper and Caterer “Innovation award of the year” 2008
Winner Midlands Business “Innovation Award” 2009
Winner Hotelkeeper and Caterer “Gold Winner of Winners” Award
Finalist for the HEFF diamond award 2009
Finalist Craft Guild of Chefs “ Development Chef of the year” 2009 Winner “World’s Best Potato Recipe” of the year 2008/9.
Finalist Midlands business person of the year award 2010
Finalist Midlands exporter of the year award 2011
Judge of the iTQi (International Taste and Quality Institute) Brussels 2010, 2011 AND 2012. (Judging food products from around the world), alongside 59 Leading Michelin star chefs from across Europe).
