Chef

Pía León named World’s Best Female Chef

05-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Peruvian Pía León, chef-patron of Lima’s Kjollel, has been named The World’s Best Female Chef 2021 ahead of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony in Antwerp, Flanders in October.

Adam Byatt: "I’m proud of the journey we have taken"

02-Aug-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The highly-respected chef patron of Trinity reflects on 15 years of the Clapham restaurant and how operational changes made during the pandemic have revolutionised the business.

Generation next

He who dares - Robbie Lorraine on his nostalgic restaurant concept Only Food and Courses

02-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

The idea may invite cynicism, but chef Robbie Lorraine hopes his 80s and 90s-themed fine dining concept can break down barriers with its cheeky twists on classic British cuisine.

Flash-grilled: Harriet Mansell

30-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The West Country-born chef behind Robin Wylde and recently-launched, low-intervention wine bar Lilac in Lyme Regis on her cooking style, Massimo Bottura, and the greatest pizza she's ever eaten.

Oliver Diver to head up Russell Norman's Trattoria Brutto

28-Jul-2021 By Restaurant

Oliver Diver has been named as head chef of Russell Norman’s soon-to-open London restaurant Trattoria Brutto.

Flash-grilled: Daniel Calvert

23-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The British chef, who recently launched his new restaurant Sézanne at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, on the industry figure he most admires, and the worst review he's ever had.

33 chefs through to second round of National Chef of the Year

22-Jul-2021 By BigHospiality

The 33 chefs that have made it through to the second round of the The National Chef of the Year (NCOTY) competition have been revealed.

Simon Rogan launches culinary academy

21-Jul-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Simon Rogan has joined forces with Kendal College to create a culinary academy that will see students gain work experience throughout his Lake District-centric Umbel Restaurant Group.

D&D promotes Ben Murphy to chef patron of Launceston Place

19-Jul-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Ben Murphy has been promoted from head chef to chef patron of D&D London’s Launceston Place restaurant in Kensington.

Kitchin Group appoints external consultancy to 'investigate complaints' amid abuse allegations

19-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Tom Kitchin's restaurant group has appointed an independent, external HR consultancy to 'investigate any complaints' made by staff, amid accusations of former employees experiencing physical abuse and harassment.

Flash-grilled: Rishim Sachdeva

16-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The chef behind 'mostly vegan' pop up restaurant concept Tendril on Gail's, cooking with live fire, and why Donald Trump is his dream dinner party guest.

Simon Rogan doubles down on ‘at home’ business

16-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Simon Rogan has rebranded his ‘at home’ business under plans to retain it in the long term.

Sam Ashton-Booth joins Tom Aikens to lead research and development

15-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Former Stem head chef Sam Ashton-Booth has joined Tom Aikens' team as head of research and development

Chef Gabriel Waterhouse to relocate The Water House Project to permanent Hackney home

14-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Chef Gabriel Waterhouse’s eponymous east London dining destination The Water House Project is putting down permanent roots this September in Hackney.

Shay Cooper joins The Lanesborough as executive chef

08-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Former Julie's chef patron Shay Cooper is taking over the stoves at The Lanesborough hotel in London.

Generation Next

Firestarter – one year of Hot 4 U

05-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Nomadic kitchen concept Hot 4 U has been one of the pandemic’s breakout success stories, making waves in London with its freewheeling approach and wildly eclectic cooking.

Kitchin Group suspends two senior staff amid accusations of abuse and harassment

05-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Two senior members of staff at Tom Kitchin's restaurant group have been suspended amid accusations of former employees experiencing physical abuse and harassment.

Flash-grilled: Robbie Lorraine

02-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The chef at Pop Brixton-based Only Food and Courses on the bringing back of El Bulli, his respect for Paul Ainsworth and a surprising aversion to Jersey Royals.

TJ Worrall Thompson launches dining series promoting up-and-coming chefs

29-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

TJ Worrall Thompson, son of chef Antony Worrall Thompson, is to launch a dining series that aims to champion up-and-coming culinary talent in the capital.

Cameron House Hotel bolsters culinary team with five new appointments

29-Jun-2021 By Restaurant

Five senior chefs, including former Holborn Dining Room head chef Mark Drummond and former head chef at Cairn Lodge David Lilley have joined Cameron House Hotel for its reopening in August.

Flash-grilled: Anthony Garlando

25-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

The Aqua Shard executive chef, who helped found delivery-only sushi concept Oro earlier this year, on his first industry job, and the best meal he's ever eaten.

Nobu Hotel London executive chef Michael Paul launches plant-based concept KOJO

22-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square's executive chef Michael Paul has launched a plant-based concept that is set to grow to at least three sites before the end of the year.

Flash-grilled: Dayashankar Sharma

18-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

The former Grand Trunk Road chef, who now owns Indian fine-dining restaurant Heritage in West Dulwich, on nearly becoming a doctor, and why Nando's is his favourite fast food joint.

Rohit Ghai to head up IKSHA 360 in Qatar

16-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Kutir chef patron Rohit Ghai has partnered with Qatar-based hospitality group Fork & Knife to head up Indian fine dining restaurant IKSHA 360 in Doha.

Flash-grilled: Manu Canales

11-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

The chef behind Le Bab, which has just launched a late-night kebab shop on London's Old Street, on his admiration for Keith Floyd, and once being mauled by a bull.

Niklas Ekstedt to bring his 'old Nordic' cooking to London

09-Jun-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Niklas Ekstedt will open his first restaurant outside Sweden in September, taking over the space that was once home to The Yard by Robin Gill within Westminster's Great Scotland Yard Hotel.

Flash-grilled: Adria Wu

04-Jun-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The chef behind healthy eating concept Maple & Co on her dislike of foams and a near death experience in Hong Kong.

Chef Fernando Trocca to make London debut with Sucre

04-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Chef Fernando Trocca is to bring his contemporary Latin American concept Sucre to the capital, launching on Great Marlborough Street in Soho next month.

Gary Usher smashes £150,000 crowdfund target within 24 hours

03-Jun-2021 By James McAllister

Gary Usher has smashed his £150,000 crowdfund target to help create a catering arm for his Elite Bistros restaurant group called Elite Bistro Events within 24 hours.

Flash-grilled: Mario Perera

28-May-2021 By James McAllister

The Dorchester's executive chef on his love of tasting menus, memories of his mother's cooking, and remembering Paul Bocuse.

Flash-grilled: Yasuda Akinori

21-May-2021 By James McAllister

The head chef at recently-launched sushi restaurant Sumi in Notting Hill on learning his craft from his father, getting his start in the industry, and his love of the seaside.

Gary Usher crowdfunds to launch Elite Bistro Events

20-May-2021 By James McAllister

Gary Usher is launching a crowdfund to help create a catering arm for his Elite Bistros restaurant group called Elite Bistro Events.

The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards: Chef to Watch 2021 shortlist

18-May-2021 By Restaurant

Whether heading up a kitchen or opening their debut restaurant, this year’s shortlist of super-talented chefs are set for even greater things.

Mathew Sherry named head chef at The Balmoral’s Number One fine-dining restaurant

18-May-2021 By Restaurant

Mathew Sherry has been named as the new head chef at The Balmoral’s Number One fine-dining restaurant.

Chef Rishim Sachdeva to launch six-month residency for 'mostly vegan' restaurant concept Tendril

17-May-2021 By James McAllister

Former Chiltern Firehouse chef Rishim Sachdeva is to launch a six-month residency at The Sun & 13 Cantons pub in London's Soho for his 'mostly vegan' restaurant concept Tendril.

Toby Burrowes joins Zuma London as head chef

17-May-2021 By James McAllister

Former Elystan Street head chef Toby Burrowes is taking over the stoves of high-end, modern-Japanese restaurant Zuma in London's Knightsbridge.

Flash-grilled: Elia Sebregondi

14-May-2021 By James McAllister

The head chef and co-owner at Italian restaurant and pasta workshop Officina 00 on giving respect to kitchen porters, his love of simplicity and a bitter first food memory.

Chet Sharma: "A lot of places have stripped back too much and lost flavour"

14-May-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The former The Ledbury and Moor Hall development chef is out to disrupt the top-end Indian space with his debut restaurant Bibi.

Paul Bates appointed executive chef of Hilton London Metropole

12-May-2021 By James McAllister

Hilton London Metropole, the largest Hilton hotel outside of the US, has appointed Paul Bates as its new executive chef.

Alyn Williams wins £57,000 in damages from The Westbury Hotel

12-May-2021 By James McAllister

Chef Alyn Williams has been awarded just over £57,000 in damages for unfair dismissal from his role at The Westbury Hotel in London's Mayfair.

Gino D'Acampo partners with Innside by Meliá hotels to create new hospitality empire

11-May-2021 By James McAllister

Italian celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo has partnered with Spanish hotel brand INNSiDE by Meliá to launch a series of restaurants and bars across its growing UK estate.

Maarten Geschwindt to head the food offer at Hertfordshire's The Grove

10-May-2021 By Restaurant

Maarten Geschwindt, former executive sous chef at The Savoy, has been appointed executive chef of the The Grove.

Steve Groves on his plans for Glyndebourne’s restaurants

07-May-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The former Roux at Parliament Square chef is taking responsibility for the whole of the famed opera house’s culinary output, including three restaurants totalling over 600 covers.

Flash-grilled: Mark Greenaway

07-May-2021 By James McAllister

The Scottish chef-patron of Mark Greenaway Restaurants on clinically dying twice, his hatred of tardiness and the importance of chef stages.

Galvin brothers join Glyndebourne for three-year tenure

05-May-2021 By Restaurant

Michelin-starred chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin have been named as new executive chefs of Glyndebourne’s fine dining Middle & Over Wallop restaurant, where they will hold tenancy for the next three years.

Persian food delivery business launched

04-May-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Rea Shahroudi and Mo Ali Shirazi have launched a Battersea-based food delivery brand that aims to make Persian cuisine more accessible to Londoners.

Vanilla Black's Andrew Dargue and Donna Conroy to launch cookery school

30-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Restaurateurs Andrew Dargue and Donna Conroy are to launch a cookery school in Somerset that's inspired by their innovative vegetarian fine-dining restaurant Vanilla Black, which closed last year.

Richard Turner: "We are planning for it to go at least country wide"

30-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The chef behind London butcher Turner & George, Hawksmoor and Meatopia on his meat-focused delivery business with a conscience Dickie’s

Flash-grilled: Gareth Stevenson

30-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The head chef at Palé Hall Hotel & Restaurant in Wales on his first industry job, his signature dish, and why Michael Caines is the industry figure he most admires.

Friday Five: the week's top news

30-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

This week's main hospitality news stories include Russell Norman's new restaurant announcement, Karen Jones joining Deliveroo, and The Cinnamon Club paying tribute to 'hero' waiter Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole.