People on the move in hospitality: February 2020

Nuno Mendes​

Chef Nuno Mendes has left Michelin-starred Shoreditch restaurant Mãos, the 16-cover 'kitchen table' concept he co-founded in 2018. Last year Mendes returned to his native Portugal to launch five 'dining destinations' at the luxury Bairro Alto Hotel in Lisbon. He will now split his time the hotel and London's Chiltern Firehouse, where he is still executive chef. Mãos will continue under executive head chef Edoardo Pellicano, who has been with the restaurant since it opened. 

George Barson​

George Barson is to leave his role as head chef at London restaurants Kitty Fishers and Cora Pearl in March. Barson took over from Tomos Parry (now at Shoreditch's Brat) at Kitty Fishers in 2017 and opened sister site Cora Pearl in 2018. Both the concept and menus of both sites are understood to be staying broadly the same for the time being. Barson, who has cooked at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Nuno Mendes' Viajante, is now looking for his next role.

Guy Betteridge ​

The Kimpton Fitzroy London hotel has named Guy Betteridge as its new executive chef. He will oversee all food and beverage operations at the hotel, including its four restaurants and bars: Neptune, Fitz's, Burr & Co, and Palm Court. Betteridge spent seven years at The Gordon Ramsay Group and joins Kimpton Fitzroy London from D&D London's South Place Hotel, where he worked as head chef running The Chop House and five private dining rooms. 

Simon Anderson​

Simon Anderson is to leave his role as chief creative officer at Market Halls after helping found the business in 2018. He is setting up a restaurant and brand consultancy to work with food start-ups, and will continue to advise Market Halls. During his time at the business he helped restaurants including Roti King and Flank to create offshoot brands. Prior to Market Halls Anderson was co-owner of London barbecue restaurant Pitt Cue and a director and investor in Dangerous Don Mezcal. 

Toby Burrowes​

Toby Burrowes has left his role as head chef of Phil Howard's Michelin-starred Elystan Street restaurant in Chelsea, citing a 'professional difference of opinion'. He had been in the role since the restaurant opened in 2016, having previously worked under Howard for four years at The Square. "I'm taking a short break from the stoves and I'll be looking to step into something where I can spread my wings under my own name," says Burrowes.

Peter Avis​

Peter Avis is to take over from Fred Sirieix as general manager at the Galvin at Windows restaurant at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Sirieix left his role in December after 14 years running front of house. Avis previously worked for Virgin Group and oversaw the culinary direction of Sir Richard Branson's private islands Necker and Moskito in the British Virgin Islands. His appointment comes as Galvin at Windows launches a new bar and menu in a bid to make the restaurant more 'accessible'. 

Ryan Shilton​

Ryan Shilton has been appointed head chef at Dormy House hotel in the Cotswolds. In his new role Shilton will be responsible for the Back Garden restaurant, which opened under estate culinary director Martin Burge in 2019, and more casual dining room The Potting Shed. Shilton joins from a role as head chef at the two AA Rosette Larder in Lichfield. Burge will continue to oversee Dormy House's fine dining restaurant MO.