Chris Staines quits Foliage restaurant

Chris Staines has resigned from his job as head chef at London restaurant Foliage to pursue a new opportunity, it has been confirmed. 

Tony McHale, general manager at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, home of Foliage, said the hotel wished Staines `every success` with his new venture, which is yet to be announced. 

Staines joined Foliage in 2002 from Marco Pierre White`s Oak Room and has been instrumental in building the restaurant`s reputation since then. 

In September last year he was selected as one of the five chefs with five AA rosettes to cook for 1,000 guests at the AA`s Centenary dinner and in January was chosen as Lufthansas` first UK star chef. 

McHale said: "We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Chris over past seven the years, during which time he has been instrumental in raising the profile of Foliage as one London’s finest Michelin starred restaurants. We wish him every success with his new venture." 

The hotel said it was working on finding a replacement for Staines while he worked his notice and would make an announcement about the new appointment `in due course`. 

Chris Staines becomes Lufthansa`s first UK star chef