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Featured Chefs
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Chris
Staines, Chef de Cuisine of London's Michelin Star Restaurant, Foliage... |
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It is becoming increasingly rare to find
a hotel company that is up for the heady task of offering guests
great rooms and an outstanding food and beverage program. This
situation is especially true of London, where a great number
of hotel companies have relinquished the challenge of running
their own F & B operations, or at the very least have handed
over the establishment's fine dining restaurant to a well branded
chef in exchange for a good night's sleep, a guaranteed rent
check and percentage of the profits.
This concept carries no weight at London's Mandarin Oriental
Hotel. The Mandarin is an operation that takes pride in offering
its guest a complete experience, created by the hotel's team
and not someone else's.
This old fashioned view of hospitality has reaped its rewards.
The hotel's restaurant Foliage has received nothing but rave
reviews since it opened its doors, and in January 2002 the
restaurant earned its first Michelin star.
Soon after the restaurant was awarded its star, Hywel Jones,
Foliage's Chef de Cuisine moved on to become the chef/ partner
of Islington based restaurant Lola's. I cannot think of a much
more daunting task than taking over a kitchen so soon after
it has won such a prestigious award. But this task did not intimidate
this month's featured chef, 27-year-old Chris Staines. Chris
assumed control of Foliage's kitchen in March 2002. (more) |
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