{{Short description|English chef}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox person | image = Simon Rimmer head crop.jpg | caption = Rimmer in May 2010 | image_size = 230px | birth_name = Simon Peter Rimmer | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|5|5}} | birth_place = [[Wallasey]], [[Wirral Peninsula|Wirral]], England | occupation = Chef | years_active = 1990–present }}
'''Simon Peter Rimmer''' (born 5 May 1963<ref>{{cite web|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/director/906854120/MR-SIMON-PETER-RIMMER|title=MR SIMON PETER RIMMER director information. Free director information. Director id 906854120|first=company check|last=ltd|website=Company Check}}</ref>) is an English celebrity chef, best known for his on-screen partnership with [[Tim Lovejoy]].
==Early life== Simon Peter Rimmer was born in Wallasey.{{efn|Wallasey was in [[Cheshire]] when he was born and did not become part of [[Merseyside]] until he was 11 years old.}}
==Career== Rimmer originally studied fashion and textile design,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/816959/Simon-Rimmer-Channel-4-Sunday-Brunch-presenter-regrets-nickname|title=Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer on nickname, regrets and first kiss|last=Claridge|first=Brian|date=18 June 2017|website=Express.co.uk|language=en|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> and later taught himself to cook.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/top-chef-simon-rimmer-cooks-1083329|title=Top chef Simon Rimmer cooks takeaway dinners for Craig Bellamy to keep striker fit|last=Greenaway|first=Heather|date=1 October 2011|website=dailyrecord|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> In 1990, he bought [[Greens (English restaurant)|Greens]], a vegetarian restaurant in [[West Didsbury]].<ref>[http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/4403465.Hale_restaurant_owner_takes_star_turn_at_Good_Food_Show/ Simon Rimmer, who owns restaurant Earle in Hale, Trafford is one of the celebrity chefs at this year's Good Food Show.] ''Messenger.'' 28 May 2009.</ref> It closed in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coleman |first1=Jenny |title=Simon Rimmer's vegetarian restaurant in Didsbury shuts after 33 years |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-67864511 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=2 January 2024 |date=2 January 2024}}</ref> He opened his second restaurant, Earle, in [[Hale, Greater Manchester|Hale]] in October 2006,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.opentable.co.uk/earle-by-simon-rimmer|title=Earle By Simon Rimmer - Hale, Cheshire on OpenTable|website=www.opentable.co.uk|language=en|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> though this was sold to a local restaurateur in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://altrincham.today/2016/11/17/news/tv-chef-simon-rimmer-ends-hale-association-hogans-hale-owner-acquires-earle/|title=TV chef Simon Rimmer ends Hale association as Hogan's of Hale owner acquires Earle|date=17 November 2016|website=Altrincham Today|language=en|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> In 2013, Rimmer served as a judge for British Sausage Week, helping to choose the winners and promote the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sausagefans.co.uk/interview-with-simon-rimmer-the-face-of-british-sausage-week-2013/|title=Interview with Simon Rimmer – the face of British Sausage Week 2013|date=16 September 2013|website=Sausagefans.co.uk|language=en-US|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>
Rimmer's television career began with [[Granada Breeze (UK TV channel)|Granada Breeze]] before appearing regularly on programmes including ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]'', ''[[The One Show]]'', ''[[The Gadget Show]]'' and ''[[Pointless Celebrities]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0727301/|title=Simon Rimmer|website=IMDb|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> He has presented ''Making a Meal of It'' for BBC Two,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/programmes/b0071b4f/episodes|title=Making a Meal Of It episodes - BBC Food|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> ''[[Win It, Cook It]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hattrickinternational.co.uk/shows/Win_It_Cook_It|title=Win It Cook It|website=hattrickinternational.co.uk|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> ''Tricks of the Restaurant Trade'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/tricks-of-the-restaurant-trade|title=Tricks of the Restaurant Trade: Tricks of the Restaurant Trade|website=Channel 4|language=en|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> ''Eat the Week with Iceland''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/eat-the-week-with-iceland|title=Eat the Week with Iceland: Eat the Week with Iceland|website=Channel 4|language=en|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> and ''Secrets of Our Favourite Snacks''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/23/tuesdays-best-tv-broken-secrets-of-our-favourite-snacks|title=Tuesday's best TV: Secrets of Our Favourite Snacks; Long Lost Family: What Happened Next|last=Harrison|first=Phil|date=23 May 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 September 2019|last2=Robinson|first2=John|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|last3=Harris|first3=Sophie|last4=Arnold|first4=Ben|last5=Verdier|first5=Hannah|last6=Gibbings-Jones|first6=Mark|last7=Mueller|first7=Andrew|last8=Howlett|first8=Paul}}</ref> for Channel 4 and ''Breaking Into Tesco'' for Channel 5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a90365/simon-rimmer-breaking-into-tesco/|title=Simon Rimmer ('Breaking Into Tesco')|last=West|first=Dave|date=29 February 2008|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> Rimmer is best known for his work alongside [[Tim Lovejoy]] presenting [[Something for the Weekend (TV programme)|''Something for the Weekend'']] on BBC Two between 2006 and 2012<ref>{{Citation|title=Something for the Weekend|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1002921/|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> and ''[[Sunday Brunch]]'', a show with a similar format on Channel 4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sunday-brunch|title=Sunday Brunch: Sunday Brunch|website=Channel 4|language=en|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>
Rimmer has also appeared as a contestant on various TV shows. In 2006, he pitted his cooking talents against other skilled chefs on the first series of ''[[Great British Menu]]''; losing in the North of England heat to [[Marcus Wareing]].<ref>{{Citation|title=North: Part 1|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1339796/|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> In 2008, he appeared on ''[[Celebrity Mastermind]]'', choosing 'The History of [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]]' as a specialist subject.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008l3bl|title=BBC One - Celebrity Mastermind, 2007/2008, Episode 5|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref> In August 2017, it was confirmed that Rimmer would take part in the [[Strictly Come Dancing (series 15)|fifteenth series]] of ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', partnered with [[Karen Clifton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/8d0e7b61-af64-4c3e-8220-17b8cf8a3e36|title=Simon Rimmer is confirmed for Strictly 2017!|date=13 August 2017|website=Strictly Come Dancing}}</ref> The pair were eliminated in week six.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3CLfsw9pdc0QPwGk2lYn9Z/simon-rimmer|title=BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Simon Rimmer|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=23 September 2019}}</ref>
Rimmer's first book, ''The Accidental Vegetarian'', was published in October 2004.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The accidental vegetarian : delicious food without meat|last=Rimmer, Simon.|date=2010|publisher=Mitchell Beazley|isbn=9781845335557|edition= New|location=London|oclc=477281872}}</ref> His second book, ''Rebel Cook'', was published in October 2006.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Rebel cook : bending the rules for brilliant food|last=Rimmer, Simon.|date=2006|publisher=Cassell Illustrated|others=Lowe, Jason.|isbn=9781844034505|location=London|oclc=176782014}}</ref> His third book ''Lazy Brunch'' came out in 2008, co-written with Lovejoy and based on a feature in ''Something from the Weekend''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Lazy brunch|last=Rimmer, Simon.|date=2008|publisher=Quadrille|others=Lovejoy, Tim, 1968-, Something for the weekend (Television program)|isbn=9781844005932|location=London|oclc=181069386}}</ref> In 2009, Rimmer published his fourth book, ''The Seasoned Vegetarian''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The seasoned vegetarian : a second serving|last=Rimmer, Simon.|date=2009|publisher=Mitchell Beazley|isbn=9781845334253|location=London|oclc=267222214}}</ref>
Simon started to present a show on [[Gold (British radio network)|Gold Radio]](British Radio Station) Saturday mornings 9-12pm in January 2025
==Personal life== Rimmer supports [[Liverpool F.C.]] and was present during the 1989 [[Hillsborough disaster]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/hillsborough-survivor-simon-rimmer-hell-13696444 |title=Hillsborough survivor Simon Rimmer on why he'll waltz to You'll Never Walk Alone |last=Methven |first=Nicola |date=29 September 2017 |work=[[Liverpool Echo]] |access-date=22 September 2019 }}</ref>
==Filmography== ;Television {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2006–2012 | ''[[Something for the Weekend (TV programme)|Something for the Weekend]]'' | Co-presenter | With [[Tim Lovejoy]] |- | 2012— | ''[[Sunday Brunch]]'' | Co-presenter | 10 series; with [[Tim Lovejoy]] |- | rowspan=2|2014 | ''[[Sunday Brunch#Daily Brunch|Daily Brunch]]'' | Co-presenter | 1 series; with [[Tim Lovejoy]] |- | ''[[Win It, Cook It]]'' | Presenter | 1 series |- | 2016— | ''Tricks of the Restaurant Trade'' | Co-presenter | 3 series; with [[Kate Quilton]], [[Adam Pearson (actor)|Adam Pearson]] and [[Sophie Morgan]] |- | 2017— | ''Eat the Week with Iceland'' | Presenter | 1 series |- | rowspan=2|2017 | ''Secrets of Our Favourite Snacks'' | Co-presenter | With [[Sophie Morgan]] |- | ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' | Participant | [[Strictly Come Dancing (series 15)|Series 15]] |- | 2018 | ''Britain's Favourite Food'' | Presenter | Two-part series |- |}
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.greensdidsbury.co.uk Greens Restaurant] *[http://www.earlerestaurant.co.uk/ Earle Restaurant] *[http://www.eatthechef.com Eat The Chef - Video Recipes by Simon and others] *[http://goodfood.uktv.co.uk/shows/simon-rimmers-dinner/ Simon Rimmer recipes] *[http://www.thecheshirecookeryschool.com The Cheshire Cookery School] {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rimmer, Simon}} [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:English restaurateurs]] [[Category:English television chefs]] [[Category:People from Wallasey]] [[Category:English male chefs]]