Steven Edwards secures five-year Brighton & Hove Albion contract

Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club has extended Steven Edwards’ contract at its Tunnel Club restaurant by a further five years. 

Edwards has acted as chef director for Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s upmarket dining concept the Tunnel Club since 2023 and launched its casual dining offer, Bites, last February.

Under his extended contract Edwards’ remit will be extended to oversee boardroom catering for the football club’s chair and owner Tony Bloom and deputy chair and CEO Paul Barber.

The Masterchef alumni and Etch owner has won numerous awards during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Tunnel Club was named Padded Seat’s Hospitality Experience of the Year in 2023 and was awarded the Stadium Events & Hospitality Award for Overall Matchday Hospitality Award for two successive years.

Brighton & Hove Albion chief commercial officer Russell Wood said: “We’re thrilled with how well the concept has been received by our Tunnel Club members.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and that’s reflected in the fantastic renewal rates we’ve recently seen, with the next five-year term already sold out. Steven’s creativity and dedication have played a huge part in making this possible, and we’re delighted to continue working with him.”

Edwards, who became one of the youngest ever winners of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2013, added: “The Tunnel Club members are a great bunch who aren’t afraid to share feedback and this has helped us to keep improving and create the best hospitality experience in UK football grounds. It’s exciting to be building on this success for the next five years."

He opened his flagship restaurant Etch in Brighton in 2017 and it has since won three AA rosettes and a listing in the Michelin Guide. He previously oversaw a restaurant at the Bingham Riverhouse hotel in London before stepping away in 2023.