Helene Darroze opens for business at The Connaught

Helene Darroze officially takes over as executive chef of the Connaught hotel in Mayfair, London today.

Darroze, who holds two Michelin stars at her Paris restaurant Helene Darroze, will oversee all cuisine at the Connaught, including the Gallery, private dining, and the Connaught Grill when it re-opens in the autumn.

Although Darroze has been in London for a few weeks, today – Bastille Day –marks the official launch.

The move coincides with the completion of a £70m restoration programme of the Connaught which is run by the Maybourne Hotel Group. Part of the work included a redesign of the restaurant by French interior designer India Mahdavi.

The restaurant at the Connaught was run by Angela Hartnett for Gordon Ramsay until Gordon Ramsay Holdings parted company with the Maybourne at the end of last year.

Next month, Hartnett will open her new Italian-inspired restaurant Murano before re-launching the Camden pub the York & Albany as a restaurant, bar and delicatessen with 10 bedrooms.

Darroze will will split her time between her the Connaught and her restaurant in Paris and has brought a team of experienced staff from the latter to lead a brigade of local talent.

Stephen Alden, Chief Executive of Maybourne said: "Helene is a very talented chef whose intuition and creativity are second to none. She is also a perfect match for the Connaught where the French Gourmet heritage has always been a part of the hotel`s exceptional legacy."

Helene Darroze to run the kitchen at the Connaught

Hartnett to lead new Ramsay Restaurant in London