BOSSES behind the Palace Hotel’s £25m makeover have today revealed the trio of chefs tasked with launching their bold new ‘all day drinking and dining experience’…
Wilson has worked under some of the world’s top chefs including René Redzepi, Massimo Bottura and Pierre Gagnaire
The Refuge Public Bar & Dining Room by Volta.
Snappy.
Following the appointment of ex-globe-trotting DJs turned restaurateurs (Volta, Electrik), Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (aka The Unabombers), the hotel have just announced the appointment of three ex-Lowry Hotel chefs: Steven Wilson (middle) as Executive Chef, Paul Speakman (right) as Banqueting Head Chef and Alex Worrall (left) as Refuge Head Chef.
Edinburgh-born Wilson first came to Manchester in 1998, going on to launch the notorious Reform restaurant, a regular haunt of Manchester’s footballing and TV glitterati, alongside chefs Rob Owen Brown and the late Eli Leconte, as well as The Lowry Hotel’s River Restaurant under Eyck Zimmer. Since then Wilson has worked his way around the globe, from the Maldives to Oman, under some of the world’s top chefs including René Redzepi, Massimo Bottura and Pierre Gagnaire.
Meanwhile, Bolton-born Speakman, another Lowry Hotel alumnus, arrives at Refuge following stints working under Marco Pierre White and Simon Rimmer, as well as banqueting roles at Manchester Town Hall and Manchester Central.
Lastly, Worrall, who has taken on the role of Head Chef at The Refuge, will bring a wealth of experience to the project having recently worked in Sydney under Michelin-starred Tetsuya Wakuda - whose Waku Ghin restaurant is currently ranked no.8 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Locally Worrall has also shared pans with Wilson and Speakman at Reform and The Lowry.
Michael Purtill, General Manager at The Palace Hotel, said: “These are exciting times for The Palace and exciting times for Manchester. There’s an incredible energy and creativity in the city right now, which is reflected in the world-class restaurant and bar scene that Manchester has to offer.”
In recognition of the hotel’s ambitious new food and drink focus, The Palace has teamed up with the Manchester Food and Drink Festival to host the annual MFDF Gala Dinner & Awards on Monday 10 October - see the full awards shortlist here.
The Refuge Public Bar & Dining Room by Volta opens in September.
palacehotelmanchestercity.co.uk
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