Stafford appoints Carlos Martinez as new executive chef

The Stafford London by Kempinski hotel has appointed Carlos Martinez as its new executive chef.

Martinez has worked at 18 Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Europe.

The chef, who is a native of Valencia in Spain, said: "For more than six years, I was lucky enough to work in Cahors, France with Claude Marco, a classically-trained chef and former chef at Le Gavroche."

Later, Martinez moved to Fribourg, Switzerland, to work with chef Pierrot Ayer. He then went to work for Daniel Galmiche at Cliveden House and following Galmiche's departure, Martinez became head executive chef of Cliveden's three restaurants, where he retained Cliveden's Michelin star and was one of ten finalists at the 2012 British Culinary Federation Chef of the Year competition.

Martinez will now oversee the culinary team at the Stafford and create new menus for the Lyttelton, the American Bar, the Wine Cellars as well as room service and private dining. "I am passionate about fresh ingredients and our menus will focus on the use of seasonal produce. We want to create a savoury dining experience, that encompasses not just taste, but aromas, presentation and the care with which food is prepared," said Martinez.

Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels claimes to be Europe's oldest luxury hotel group and comprises a portfolio of 74 five-star hotels in 30 countries.