Michael Caines lost his right arm in a severe car accident in 1994, just a few months after starting his role as head chef at Gidleigh Park. He fell asleep at the wheel, causing his car to crash and flip onto its roof. During the crash, he gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his arm was severely injured and had to be amputated from the elbow down. Despite the trauma and initial despair, Caines was remarkably resilient: he returned to kitchen work just two weeks after the accident with a prosthetic arm. He went on to achieve great success, including earning a second Michelin star and being named Britain's Chef of the Year. He credits his accident and recovery with giving him determination and changing his life for the better.
