Hospitality job changes in June 2024, including new appointments at Raffles London, Pied à Terre and Sea Containers restaurant

Raffles London at OWO

Matthew Wilkinson has been promoted to food and drink director at Raffles London at The OWO in Whitehall, London. This follows the departure of Mark Hastings earlier this year, who oversaw the launch of the hotel and catering facility in October 2023. Wilkinson previously worked as associate director of food and beverage at Raffles London. Previously, apart from short stays at Hotel Café Royal and JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, he spent seven years with the Maybourne Hotel Group.

Pied na Terre

Phil Kearsey has replaced Asimakis Chaniotis as executive chef of Michelin-starred stalwart Pied à Terre Fitzrovia. Owner David Moore says he and Kearsey have a “very clear intention to take the restaurant to the next level.” Hailing from Surrey, Kearsey brings experience from some of the UK’s top kitchens, including The Waterside Inn and Drakes Restaurant under Steve Drake. He joins Charlotte Street from Mayfair in Corrigan, where he was also executive chef.

Kontenery Morskie Restaurant

Former MJMK chef Tom Morgan (pictured in main photo) has taken over the culinary leadership of both Sea Containers restaurant and Lyaness Bar on London’s South Bank. Morgan started working in the kitchen at the age of 16 and previously oversaw the F&B division of rival brand Flight Club, where he oversaw the launch of a total of 14 outlets in the UK and US. Most recently, he worked as a chef at MJMK restaurants, working with renowned chefs such as Nuno Mendes and Santiago Lastra. Discussing his new role, Morgan said: “I’m really fascinated by the simplicity of cooking and using minimal ingredients to really highlight the quality of the products. The idea is to let natural flavors shine and prepare dishes that are both honest and memorable. I’m excited to use my skills at Sea Containers and can’t wait to share my vision and passion with the team and guests.

Farzi London

Two years after leaving the restaurant, Haymarket Farzi London has reappointed Nikhil Mahale as executive chef. He replaces Dhwani Agarwal, who previously oversaw the furnaces for two years. With over 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mahale started his career in Mumbai at Azok, where he cooked under Vineet Bhatia MBE. Mahale moved to the UK in 2010, where he took up significant roles as executive chef, brand designer and consultant with companies including Simla Restaurant & Zenna Bar in Dordon; Mumbai 7 in Ilford and Babel House in Mayfair, London. Mahale joined Farzi London before it opened in 2019, but left in 2022 to work as executive chef at Indian restaurant Noir, which has branches in Manchester and London. His return to Farzi coincides with the restaurant’s fifth birthday, for which he has developed a new menu promoting North Indian cuisine.

Kerridge’s Bar and Grill

Tom Childs, previously sous chef at London restaurant Tom Kerridge’s Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, has taken over as executive chef after Nick Beardshaw’s departure. Childs worked in the restaurant for five years, after a career that included roles at Paul Ainsworth’s No. 6 in Padstow, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Knightsbridge and the former Hedone in Chiswick. “Nick’s departure has given Tom Childs the opportunity to take over as executive chef, something he is more than ready to do,” says Kerridge. “We have been working on a completely new menu that will launch this month. Tom has created a series of unique new dishes that retain the Kerridge ‘DNA’ while making the most of the best British seasonal ingredients with a nod to classic cuisine. I know it will be a big hit.”

Strange scene

Scott Hallsworth’s west London restaurant Freak Scene has hired former Polpo and Brutto CEO Alexis Ross as its head of operations. The appointment follows the launch of the brand’s second location of the ‘rock and roll izakaya’ in Balham. Former chef Kurobuta launched Freak Scene as a pop-up in Farringdon in July 2017, and a year later opened a permanent outlet on Frith Street in Soho, which did not reopen after Covid. Last year the brand re-appeared in Parsons Green.

Fair shot

Covent Garden-based social enterprise Fair Shot Café has hired former Toklas chef Matilda Streatfeild as its executive chef. Fair Shot Café launched in 2021 as a popular café located in Mayfair, relocating to Slingsby Place in 2022. The company aims to offer delicious food and drink whilst also providing employment opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Sales and Pepe

Recently relaunched Knightsbridge restaurant Sale e Pepe has appointed Luca Danisi as its new general manager. Danisi brings with him experience from a number of other high-end restaurants, including Il Borro and Isabel in Mayfair. Having also worked at Sale e Pepe for its previous owner, Toni Coricelli, Danisi will use “his keen knowledge and deep understanding of the restaurant’s heritage” to “maintain Sale e Pepe’s reputation as the place to go for luxurious Italian cuisine.”

Freddie’s Bistro

Bistro Freddie in London is looking for a new chef after the departure of Anna Søgaard. Søgaard helped launch the Shoreditch restaurant last November, having previously cooked at Erst restaurant in Manchester. She previously worked in various kitchens in her native Denmark. In an Instagram post, Bistro Freddie said: “The initial success and popularity (of the restaurant) is the result of the ambition and hard work of so many wonderful people. One such person is our head chef, Anna, who moved to London from Manchester to make our bistro a reality. Anna was at the helm of the kitchen and led an incredibly strong team dedicated to preparing deceptively simple dishes, all with depth and soul. As Anna takes on her next challenge, we thank her for everything she put into the project and wish her all the best. We are currently looking for a new chef to run the kitchen at Bistro Freddie.”