Fuchs to take over top chef post at Savoy

Georg Fuchs is to succeed Anton Edelmann as maître chef des cuisines at London's Savoy hotel.

Fuchs, the current executive chef of the Langham Hilton, will join the hotel on 1 September, when Edelmann transfers to Sodexho to become principal chef for its fine-dining division.

Despite persistent rumours that the Savoy plans to contract out its fine-dining outlet, the River Restaurant (as is the case with the Grill, which was taken over by chef Marcus Wareing in May), Fuchs is understood to be taking control of it along with the hotel's banqueting facilities, private dining rooms, Thames Foyer and guest-room services.

The 51-year-old chef said that joining the hotel had been his ambition. "I'm delighted that I finally have this opportunity," he said. "I'm very aware of the many great chefs who have preceded me and of the culinary heritage of the Savoy, and I'm looking forward to being part of its future."

Savoy managing director Michael Shepherd said Fuchs was the ideal replacement for Edelmann, who has been at the Savoy for the past 20 years.

"His experience of producing top quality cuisine in volume together with the knowledge of kosher catering he gained at the King David hotel [in Jerusalem] and the flair and understanding of modern-style cuisine he exhibited at the Schloss Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Berlin are a perfect combination for the Savoy guests."

By Amanda Afiya