Who is replacing Gordon Ramsay at Claridges?
Ever since the news broke earlier in the year, that negotiations had broken down between Gordon Ramsay Holdings & the Maybourne Group, rumours have long been circulating about who would be taking up residence in the Art Deco dining room at Claridges. An early front runner was Rene Redzepi, I suppose based largely on the … Read more
Michelin 2014: The rumours, gossip & predictions
This has to be the most nerve racking week for chefs in the UK & Eire; Monday saw the release of the farcical AA Restaurant guide, and two days later, the much more revered Michelin guide is released (Thursday). As per usual, people have been asking via the social media what are my thoughts & … Read more
AA Rosettes 2013/14: The rumours, gossip & predictions
So, this year both AA and Michelin release their guides in the same week, and how the tide has turned. Michelin is viewed by chefs as the benchmark to achieve, but realistically they knew it would be easier to attain 3 Rosettes (the top 10% in the AA guide). Many people ask if there is … Read more
New chefs for The Hamborough Group, that’s what is next!
Many of you may have read “The Hamborough Group & Kevin Sussmilch ~ What next ?” post, which I did eight days ago & eluded that I didn’t really fulfill the title of the post. Well, at the time of posting Kevin Sussmilch had only appointed one chef; called Chris Denny to the vacant position … Read more
Can the last person leaving, turn the light off! ~ Heckfield Place
Oh, yet another story about the beleaguered stately pile in Hampshire, that is Heckfield Place. As many of you will know, & are probably beyond caring by now to be honest. Heckfield place has had its opening date pushed back more times than you, me or anybody cares to remember; to the point where it’s … Read more
World’s 50 Best, 2013
Every man loves a list, and the catering world is no different. There is the ritual award season for about 6 weeks in September & early October where AA, Good Food guide & Michelin release their annual guides of movers & shakers domestically, but the perennial publication of The World’s 50 best restaurant list is … Read more
What next for James Sommerin?
News has reached ChefHermes.com HQ that the Crown at Whitebrook has closed with immediate effect as of 6th March, citing financial difficulties. Curiously, almost coincidentally earlier in the week, another rumour also arrived via email concerning James Sommerin’s future. This time it appeared that Mr Sommerin is shortly to be announced as Steve Smith’s replacement … Read more
What to expect from Hartnett Holder & Co – A first look.
This morning there was a pleasant surprise in my email waiting for me. It was an internal document on what to expect from Hartnett Holder & Co, and at four pages long it’s an interesting read. Firstly the name, “Hartnett Holder & Co”, surely there is a comma missing? Next, despite never holding anything higher than 2 … Read more
Latest News: Richard Neat
Earlier this week I caught up with former two Michelin star chef Richard Neat. There was a rumour circulating, certainly in London, that Richard was going to be around this weekend and doing an impromptu pop up after the Pierre Koffmann tribute dinner. Having had Mr Neat feature on the blog before I was interested … Read more
