Chef Russell Bateman takes the reins at Petrus
It comes after former head chef Larry Jayasekara left the Michelin-starred site earlier this year.
Petrus announced the appointment on Instagram yesterday (20 August), posting: “Join us in welcoming our new Head Chef @RussellBatemanChef."
Bateman won National Chef of the Year (NCOTY) in 2014 while head chef at Colette’s at The Grove hotel in Watford, where he has cooked until this summer. Ramsay himself won the award in 1992.
The role marks a return of sorts for Bateman, who previously cooked under Marcus Wareing at the original Petrus on St James’ Street. He also helped with its move to The Berkeley hotel - it's home until 2008 when it became Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley.
Petrus reopened in its current Kinnerton Street site in 2010.
The future of Colette's at The Grove appears uncertain. A spokesperson for The Grove told BigHospitality the fine dining restaurant is currently closed for the summer and a pop-up restaurant is running in its place.
"After the summer they will be developing a series of pop up dining experiences in the unique mansion space where Colette’s was located and will be sharing these online, across their social media channels and to their database," a spokesperson says.
Bateman has also worked with Eric Chavot in The Capital Hotel, Aiden Byrne at Danesfield House and Daniel Clifford at Midsummer House.
