Henry Harris

The Climb

Training at Leiths gave Henry Harris a formal base before an apprenticeship at Hilaire placed him in a kitchen where technique, timing and restraint carried equal weight. That grounding continued as he worked as chef at Hilaire and Bibendum under Simon Hopkinson, an exacting environment that helped set the terms of his own cooking: ingredient-led, considered and built for flavour rather than display. At Racine on Brompton Road, London (2002–2015), Henry Harris moved into a chef-and-co-owner role, and French cooking found a broader audience through a kitchen that translated clearly to the room as well as the plate. Since 2022, he has been chef and co-owner of Bouchon Racine and the Three Compasses, carrying the same practical sensibility forward with the steadiness of a cook who knows exactly what matters.

Today

French cooking still defines Henry Harris’s craft: direct in structure, ingredient-led in spirit, and organised so each element can stand on its own terms. The appeal lies in clarity and satisfaction, in dishes assembled carefully and honestly rather than dressed up. When asked about flavour, he is plainspoken: "Indulgent and comforting, butter is without a doubt my favourite ingredient." It fits the rest of the work—open-handed, unfashionable in the best way, and attentive to the simple luxuries that give a meal its pull.

Signature

Henry's signature dishes include The best crème caramel in England. The name signals the register: French dessert at the level of reassurance, with the poise and quiet exactness that define his cooking.

In Their Words “Working for Simon Hopkinson for eight years, first at Hilaire, then Bibendum, was the most formative part of my career.” “Working with great ingredients and great people and seeing our customers enjoying themselves.”