At 29, Paul opened his eponymous restaurant in Longridge, Preston.  Within two years he had been awarded his first Michelin and Egon Ronay stars along with The Good Food Guide’s ‘Restaurant of the Year’.  

He has also been awarded with a wealth of other recognised accolades such as the Catey Awards ‘Newcomer of the Year’ and in 1997 ‘Independent Restaurateur of the Year’, an Honorary Fellowship from The University of Central Lancashire at Preston and Liverpool John Moores University for his contribution to catering.  Paul was also voted ‘Most Influential Individual 2001’ by Theme Bar and Restaurant Magazine and ‘One of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs in the North West’ by EN Magazine. In 1994 Egon Ronay Guide nominated Paul ‘Chef of the Year’ and Michelin awarded him a second star.

In 1995 Paul embarked on a new venture, opening his first Simply Heathcotes in Preston.  This promptly earned a ‘Red M’ from Michelin and was named ‘Brasserie of the Year’ by both Lancashire Life Magazine and The Independent newspaper.

This was followed by the opening of Simply Heathcotes Manchester in 1996 and The Paul Heathcote School of Excellence, a chefs training school formed with South Trafford College.

In March 1997 Heathcotes Outside was created, a partnership between Paul Heathcote and Gary Bates. This venture has already secured contracts on four major sporting venues, Liverpool FC, Preston North End, Warrington Wolves and Aintree racecourse.  Their client list includes Armani, Rolls Royce, KPMG and Virgin Trains.

As well as establishing a well respected restaurant collection, Paul has recently released his second recipe book - Heathcotes at Home.  In addition to many TV appearances on the BBC, Granada and regularly on Sky’s Food channel, Paul has also featured in the OK Magazine and Hello! Whilst writing a weekly column for the Liverpool Post, Manchester Evening News and Lancashire Evening Post.