Over ten years ago, I first encountered Alex Claridge, now Birmingham’s newest Michelin Star chef, during his time at 1847, an all-vegetarian restaurant in Great Western Arcade. There, he presented me with a dish inspired by the nostalgic crunch of pickled onion Monster Munch—a dish less memorable for its individual ingredients and more for the emotion it evoked. That, to me, captured the magic of exceptional cuisine.
Alex always struck me as a creative force—someone who could either accelerate innovation at a breakneck pace or explode with intensity. His energy reminded me of an artist, a poet, or a musician whose vision is too bold for simple labels. It was clear he was unafraid to challenge expectations.
After 1847, Alex transitioned from vegan dining to the daring concept of Nomad, where edible insects took center stage. Despite the buzz around these exotic offerings, Alex seemed uneasy with being narrowly defined by such themes. His frustration with being misunderstood was something I deeply related to—and still do.
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Nomad soon evolved into The Wilderness, nestled in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter. The space perfectly merged the gritty charm of an old factory with the refined elegance befitting a heritage locale. It became a ‘rock and roll fine dining’ venue where Alex’s personality shone—photos of him draped in a python and Bukowski quotes scrawled on black walls juxtaposed with plates of intricate, imaginative dishes. It was the perfect blend of grit and beauty.
Throughout the years, Alex faced ups and downs: opening and closing his cocktail bar Nocturnal Animals, navigating a pandemic, advising on Birmingham’s Night Time Economy, and launching the seafood-centric Albatross Death Cult. Despite these challenges, he persevered.
For a long time, I wondered what ‘rock and roll fine dining’ truly meant at The Wilderness. The elegant tasting menus fit fine dining, but where was the rock and roll attitude? That question was answered when Alex received his Michelin Star this week. Michelin inspectors praised his hard work and persistence, affirming what everyone who has followed his journey already knew.
Much like Ozzy Osbourne, who created Ozzfest after being turned down by Lollapalooza, Alex embodied true rock and roll spirit—not waiting for permission but forging his path unapologetically. Receiving a Michelin Star is a prestigious honor and can bring more customers and acclaim. But for Alex, the real achievement is the decade-long journey—the grind, the pivots, the frustrations, and the triumphs—that shaped who he is.
When people ask me about Birmingham food, I hesitate to define it strictly by Michelin recognition or street food stalls. But now, I think of Alex Claridge’s story as emblematic of Birmingham’s culinary identity: raw authenticity, resilience, and the courage to keep going.
His journey reminds every creative spirit in this city: don’t wait for the perfect moment or payoff. When tomorrow comes, show up once again and keep pushing forward.
The Wilderness
27 Warstone Lane, Jewellery Quarter, B18 6JQ