Chef Tony Parkin leaves The Brickmakers Arms after two months in the role
The chef took on the role at the Noble Inns Group-run pub restaurant in August following his departure from The Tudor Room at Great Fosters Hotel at the end of July.
However, he has decided to leave to join the Michelin-starred House Restaurant at Cliff House Hotel in Waterford, Ireland.
“After several years at the Tudor Room at Great Fosters, and having won and retained a Michelin star, I thought that it would be the ideal time for a change of pace. On reflection, this was not the right move for me, either personally or professionally, so I made the decision fairly quickly to tender my resignation,” says Parkin.
“I began a culinary journey during my tenure at the Tudor Room, and I am thrilled to be able to continue this at the House Restaurant at Cliff House Hotel. I am excited to become acquainted with the local suppliers, from fishermen to foragers and incorporate some incredible Irish produce on to my menus”
“My time away from fine dining included a lot of personal contemplation and I realised that I could not ignore my professional ambitions. It’s a calling. So, I am delighted to have found the support in the owners of Cliff House. Together we share the same visions for House Restaurant.
“In recent years, Ireland has become noticed as a destination for food-lovers. Around Ireland, a new food culture has emerged, world class restaurants have opened, heritage, history and produce are widely celebrated. Ireland has become home to some incredible talent, and I look forward to calling it my home.”
Cliff House Hotel is a five-star, privately owned hotel in Ireland, located close to Cork and Waterford. It is home to the Michelin-starred House Restaurant and 39 bedrooms as well as a spa.
Parkin will join the restaurant as head chef in October.
Barry Weller, owner and operator of Noble Inns, said his wished Parkin success in his new role.
“We were delighted when Tony accepted our offer for him to become head chef at The Brickmakers Arms, Windlesham, but after a few weeks bedding in, he realised that the pub side of things just wasn’t for him.
“We appreciate that his decision to move on to a more familiar restaurant environment was made sooner, rather than further down the line, and we’re pleased to say that a new head chef will be in place very shortly, cooking the high-level pub fare which has established Brickmakers as one of the most popular destination pubs in Surrey.”
Parkin's move comes amid a couple of months of high activity for Noble Inns Group, which recently appointed Simon Bonwick as head chef at The Princess of Shoreditch after Ruth Hansom stepped away from the role to undertake a series of stages at top restaurants in the UK.
Hansom is expected to return to the Noble Inns Group at some point in the future.
