Career Profile

Oliver Lesnik's BigTalent

30-Jun-2009 By Becky Paskin

Oliver Lesnik, executive head chef of Langtrys at The Cadogan hotel in Belgravia, tells Becky Paskin how after years of perseverance and experience working with some of the best British chefs, his passion for a life in the kitchen has flourished

Laura Rhys’s BigTalent

29-May-2009 By Becky Paskin

Just weeks after winning the 2009 UK Sommelier of the Year, Hotel Terravina’s head sommelier Laura Rhys tells Becky Paskin how having Gerard Basset as a mentor has helped her career take off

Gavin Austin’s BigTalent

01-May-2009 By Becky Paskin

After working in 14 different restaurants including L’Escargot and Ramsay’s Amaryllis, Gavin Austin tells Becky Paskin how his experiences have prepared him to lead the No.20 at Sanctum Soho kitchen

Xavier Rousset’s BigTalent

30-Mar-2009 By Becky Paskin

The head sommelier and co-owner of Texture speaks to Becky Paskin about the downfalls of confidence, the launch of his first restaurant, and becoming the youngest Master Sommelier at the age of 23

Ankur Ahuja's BigTalent

27-Feb-2009 By Becky Paskin

Grosvenor House Hotel’s housekeeping executive Ankur Ahuja tells Becky Paskin how his grounding in Indian hospitality led him to achieve industry recognition in the UK, in our latest BigTalent interview

Matt Gillan's BigTalent

30-Jan-2009 By Becky Paskin

Matt Gillan, the head chef of South Lodge Hotel’s restaurant-in-a-kitchen The Pass, speaks with Becky Paskin about the road that lead him to head up one of the most eccentric restaurants of the year

Karen MacKay’s BigTalent

02-Dec-2008 By Becky Paskin

Armed with an enormous amount of confidence and passion, Karen MacKay, head chef of Edinburgh hotel Channings, tells Becky Paskin why a job knock back on the grounds of her gender has not dampened her catering ambitions

Thierry de Magneval's BigTalent

29-Oct-2008 By Becky Paskin

This months BigTalent charts the career so far of Thierry de Magneval, Restaurant Manager of Albert Rouxs eponymous brasserie at Sofitel, Heathrow

Amberley Castle GM Oliver Smith’s BigTalent

29-Sep-2008 By Becky Paskin

The third instalment in our BigTalent series sees Becky Paskin meet Oliver Smith, the youngest ever General Manager of a von Essen hotel, to uncover why experience is better than an education