MasterChef semi-finalist appointed executive chef of the Blue Group
Andi Walker, a semi-finalist on last year's MasterChef: The Professionals series has been announced as executive chef of the Blue Group in Essex.
Walker will support the teams by dealing with suppliers, working out costings, menu planning and creating recipes with each of the site's head chefs.
Speaking about the new role, Walker told The Caterer: "I'm very excited to get stuck in. At the moment I am thinking of new ideas and researching the area; looking at the most popular restaurants, the style of food they do and what people want.
"There is a lot of good food on offer at the moment, so you have to stay one step ahead. Head chefs haven't got time to look around and see what is going on outside their kitchens and develop new things, so that's where I come in.
"The Riverside has a big outside area so it would be nice to install a wood burning oven so people can have pizzas and kebabs. It's all about keeping with what is in fashion in a relaxed, casual environment."
The Blue Group was founded in 2009 by Stephen Andrews who also co-owns the Woodford - Ben Murphy's new venture in South Woodford.
The group owns two boutique hotels, the Blue Anchor and the Blue Boar; and two contemporary restaurants, the William B and the Riverside; spread across Essex.
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