People on the move in hospitality: August 2021

James Murray​

Chef James Murray will join Edinburgh restaurant Timberyard as its head chef next month. Murray has worked in numerous high-end restaurants, including Lyles, Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, Nur, Wasted and most recently The Edinburgh Food Studio. He also led the kitchen of Nur in Hong Kong from 2013 to 2016 where he was integral to the restaurant being awarded a Michelin star. He will be joined by head pastry chef Richard Phillips, whom he met while working in Le Manoir. The new appointments coincide with a planned refurbishment of the cooking suite and kitchen facilities at the family-run restaurant as part of its plans to elevate further the food offer.

Mehrnavaz Avari​

Mehrnavaz Avari has been promoted from deputy general manager to general manager and area director – UK across Taj’s two London hotels. In her new role Avari, who has been associated with the group for over two decades, will continue to ‘enhance the customer centricity and operational excellence of the two hotels’. Prior to coming to London, Avari was deputy general manager at The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. 

Paul Greening​

Burger & Lobster has appointed Paul Greening as its executive development chef. New Zealand-born Greening’s CV includes time at Pier Restaurant in Rose Bay, Sydney, where he was head chef; Restaurant 290 in Wellington, New Zealand and Michelin-starred Parisian restaurants, Guy Savoy and Pierre Gagnaire. In the UK he has held roles including group executive chef at Aqua Restaurant Group, Australasia in Manchester and Novikov in London. Burger & Lobster currently operates 16 restaurants with locations in London, New York, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuwait and Malaysia.

Steve Lewis​

Steve Lewis has been appointed general manager at five-star country house hotel Lainston House in Winchester this month. Lewis has worked with some of the world’s most renowned hotel brands including Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, Harbour Hotels & Spas, Hotel du Vin, The Dorchester and Old Bank Hotel. He joins the team from his most recent role as General Manager at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Lainston House and Exclusive Collection a brand I have admired from afar both professionally and personally for a long time,” he says. “Their reputation for guest experience, staff development and quality product are second to none, and I look forward to leading a fantastic team at Lainston into a new chapter of development.” Lainston House was founded in 1983 by ex-Forte executive Guiseppe Pecorelli and is the second country property of the Exclusive collection.

The Rocca Group​

Scotland’s The Rocca Group has made four new appointments including a new executive chefs that will oversee its five venues.The Edinburgh-centric group has promoted Paul Barber to lead its portfolio of restaurants, which include Rico’s and The Broughton. Originally from Manchester, has 20 years of experience in the industry, with stints at a number of top restaurants and hotels including the Balmoral and The Scotsman. Joining Barber as new members of the team are Francesco Ascrizzi, who will take the position as head pasta chef at Rico’s and Rico’s Pasta Bar; Sébastien Weber, who will be general manager at Rico’s; and Iain Thomson, who completes the line up as the new head chef of Rico’s.

Sam Cary​

Sam Cary has been appointed as head chef of Berkshire gastropub The Great Shefford. Having previously worked at Tom Kerridge’s Hand and Flowers in Marlow and Whatley Manor, Cary has created an ‘accessible yet refined’ menu that is dictated by the seasons. “Having Sam now lead the kitchen at The Great Shefford makes me feel like Alex Ferguson when he signed David Beckham,” says owner Joshua Khan. 

Hero Brands​

Hero Brands has appointed two new international development directors to develop new master franchise partnerships throughout the globe. Christian Bradford and Steve Turner join Hero Brands as it embarks on a period of rapid growth across its brand portfolio, includes German Doner Kebab, Choppaluna and Island Poké. Christian Bradford was previously director of global business development at Buckingham Consulting, while Steve Turner joins from Al Mana Group.