Career Profile

James Durrant: Career Profile

05-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Chef James Durrant recently saw his life ambition come true when he bought, renovated and opened his own restaurant – The Plough Inn in Hampshire. A protégée of Gordon Ramsay, Durrent worked within GRH for nine years, starting at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay...

Simon Flint: Career Profile

21-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Simon Flint celebrated his six year anniversary as executive chef at the National Theatre in June, but with 28 years of experience in the industry, from Center Parcs to The Groucho Club and Caprice Holdings, he has approached the varied role with an experienced...

Gideon Joffe: Career Profile

07-Sep-2012 By Emma Eversham

Gideon Joffe, the 32-year-old son of Giraffe founders Russel and Juliette Joffe opened his first restaurant – MonkeyNuts – in Crouch End, North London nine years ago. The restaurateur went on to open Chez Bob in Belsize Park seven years later and he will...

Paul Beckley: Career Profile

24-Aug-2012 By Peter Ruddick

As head chef at Manchester's The Midland hotel, 38-year-old Paul Beckley works in his native north west but after studying he actually trained in London hotels before working his way through the ranks at The French restaurant at The Midland. He now...

Nick Crispini: Career Profile

10-Aug-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Born into a restaurateur family with an Italian father, Nick Crispini could have begun a hospitality career from a young age but instead chose to train and set up a company as a web developer before trying DJ-ing and even modelling until he founded Antico...

Rohit Chugh: Career Profile

27-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Rohit Chugh landed his first position in the restaurant industry as managing director of Cinnamon Club in 2004. In 2008, he set-up its sister site, Cinnamon Kitchen. Chugh then decided to fulfil a lifelong ambition to run his own Indian street food restaurant,...

Pepijn van den Abeele: Career Profile

13-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Belgian national Pepijn van den Abeele has been manager of London burlesque club and cocktail bar, Volupté since November 2011. He worked in a variety of jobs in hospitality in Belgium before moving to London in 2006 to take up the role of manager at...

Baerbel Moehrle: Career Profile

29-Jun-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Baerbel Moehrle began her career as an event coordinator for Marriott Hotels in Hamburg, before making the transition to London as an event executive for the Chancery Court Hotel. There, she rose to senior event manager before landing her current role...

Troels Bendix: Career Profile

15-Jun-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Danish-born Troels Bendix holds claim to the rare title of Master Baker. He initially trained as a chef at the Culinary Institute of Denmark before moving to London to work at the Sugar Club in 1999. In 2001, he founded Breads Etcetera, growing from a...

Thasanee Robinson: Career Profile

01-Jun-2012 By Emma Eversham

Thasanee Robinson, originally from Thailand, began her hospitality career as a trainee chef at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Foundation and remained in the kitchen for several years before deciding to switch to front-of-house. She is currently general manager...

Lucy Haines: Career Profile

18-May-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Lucy Haines joined London wine tasting venue Vinopolis as managing director earlier this year, following senior commercial roles at Compass, Mint Hotels and TUI Travel. Haines is now responsible for all Vinopolis enterprises, including the restaurants,...

Career Profile: Barrie St Clair

04-May-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Yorkshire-born Barrrie St Clair spent the first half of his career working through the ranks as a hotel chef. After working as a sous-chef at the Le Meridien hotel, St Clair worked with Marco Pierre-White for an unsuccessful stint before joining the Waterloo...

Career Profile: Martin Morales

20-Apr-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Peruvian-born entrepreneur Martin Morales has finally ventured into the restaurant sector after years of wait, with last month's opening of Ceviche in Soho - featuring the UK's first pisco bar. The ex-DJ and Apple executive talks to BigHospitality...

Career Profile: Arnaud Stevens

05-Apr-2012 By Emma Eversham

Arnaud Stevens is executive head chef at 40/30 at The Gherkin and group development chef for Searcys. Part of the management team at Searcys, he has overall responsibility for the kitchen at The Gherkin while also overseeing all food concepts for the...

Career Profile: Clare Smyth

23-Mar-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Clare Smyth holds a unique position for a female chef in the UK as the first and only woman to run a restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, with three Michelin stars. Smyth moved to England at 16 from Northern Ireland to train before working in a number...