Chef
Jason Atherton
Founder & Proprietor, The Social Company
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
i. Biography
“I was born a chef [and] I’ll die a chef.” In the context of Jason Atherton’s current flagship, the line reads as a working position rather than a slogan. The restaurant is built around Modern British gastronomy: a 15-course tasting menu divided into three acts across three venues, using the peak seasons of British produce as its structure. The format gives the meal movement without treating the menu as a procession of isolated plates.
The Path
Professional formation for this kind of restaurant work starts with discipline as much as appetite. Jason Atherton trained at Boston College, Lincolnshire and Army Catering Corps, before moving into an international kitchen register as Executive Chef at Verre in Dubai (2001–2005). The phase that followed, as Executive Chef at Maze (2005–2010), became a multi-site exercise in replication, launch pressure and brand extension. During that period, he oversaw launches at Maze in Hilton Prague Old Town, Prague (from 2007), Maze Grill in Grosvenor Square (from 2008), Maze in One and Only Hotel, Cape Town (from 2009), and Maze restaurants in Melbourne and Qatar (from 2009). Restaurant-making became the central craft from 2010, with Atherton beginning as restaurateur at Table No. 1 in Waterhouse at South Bund hotel, Shanghai (from 2010). The following year brought a long home-base chapter as chef-patron / restaurateur at Pollen Street Social in Mayfair (2011–2024). The same period widened the operating field through Esquina in Chinatown, Singapore (from 2011), The Study in Singapore (from 2011), and 22 Ships in Hong Kong (from 2011). The pattern is not one kitchen repeated unchanged, but a portfolio built across cities, formats and service cultures. Expansion through 2013 and 2014 added a Mayfair offshoot (from 2013), a Poland Street, Soho dining room (from 2013), a Shanghai site (from 2013), Ham & Sherry in Hong Kong (from 2013), Berners Tavern in London EDITION hotel (from 2013), a Tower 42 opening (from 2014), and an Aberdeen Street Hong Kong address (from 2014). Public-facing work also entered the record through a screen role as co-host at My Kitchen Rules in Sky Living HD (2014–2014), alongside a restaurant practice already defined by rapid openings and international operations. The later portfolio continued across hotel, standalone and international sites: The Clocktower in New York EDITION hotel, New York (from 2015), a Marylebone wine-and-tapas room (from 2015), Marina Social in Intercontinental Dubai Marina hotel, Dubai (from 2015), The Pig and Palm in Cebu, Philippines (from 2016), Temple and Sons (from 2016), and Duddell's London in St Thomas Church (from 2017). Television remained part of the work record through guest judge at MasterChef Australia (2016–2016), host at The Chef's Brigade in BBC (2019–2019), and host at Jason Atherton's Dubai Dishes in ITV1 (2023–2023).
Recognition
Jason Atherton has received MICHELIN Guide: Row on 5, Two MICHELIN Stars (2026). Recognition has followed both the restaurant work and the wider operating role. Jason's honors include Two MICHELIN Stars for Row on 5 (2026), One Michelin Star for Pollen Street Social (2011), Best Chef of the Middle East (2001), Restaurant of the Year - UK for Pollen Street Social (2014), Restaurateur of the Year (2014), and Chef of the Year (2013).
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Jason
What is Jason Atherton's current role?
Jason Atherton is chef at Row on 5 — Modern Cuisine.
Where did Jason Atherton train or study?
Jason Atherton trained at Boston College, Lincolnshire and Army Catering Corps.
What recognition has Jason Atherton received?
Two MICHELIN Stars for Row on 5 (2026).
