Chris Shaw named head chef of Toklas
Chris Shaw has been appointed head chef of Toklas restaurant in the Strand, London.
He joined the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant as senior sous chef earlier this year.
Shaw started his career at Petersham Nurseries, where he moved up the ranks to become sous chef.
In 2021, he was appointed head chef of Townsend in London's Whitechapel, which was launched by Nick Gilkinson, who was also behind Maene in London's Spitalfields.
As head chef of Toklas, Shaw will continue to showcase Italian and Mediterranean flavours with dishes such as braised cuttlefish and chickpeas with aioli; red partridge with delica pumpkin and blackberries; and pumpkin and ricotta tortellini with marjoram.
His appointment comes after the restaurant acquired its wedding licence in summer 2023, meaning it can host up to 300 guests for each ceremony.
Meanwhile, Toklas' sister site, Toklas Café and Bakery, has extended its evening opening hours between Tuesdays and Thursdays to host Bakery Apéros, which offers guests strecci (stretched focaccia dough) and negronis.
Toklas opened in October 2021 under Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover, the founders of Frieze Art Fair. Slotover also opened Fort Road hotel in Margate in September 2022.
