Fulham Football Club adds Sally Abé, Judy Joo and Ben Murphy to star chef line-up

Fulham Football Club has added three renowned chefs to its culinary line-up as it opens the Riverside Stand within its Craven Cottage stadium.

The London club is partnering with Sally Abé, Judy Joo and Ben Murphy to strengthen the team behind Riverside’s matchday experience.

Each chef brings a unique perspective to the kitchen: Joo will serve Korean cuisine inspired by her Seoul Bird restaurants, Murphy will serve the modern European-style dishes he honed during his time at Launceston Place while Abé will offer refined British classics from the Bull in Charlbury.

Along with Alex Dilling and Oli Marlow, who were recruited earlier this year, the chefs will rotate across the Gourmet restaurant, serving seasonal menus and immersive dining experiences tailored to each fixture.

Abé said: “As someone who appreciates tradition with a modern twist, Fulham feels like the perfect match. The club’s heritage combined with the Riverside’s innovation mirrors my own approach to British cuisine. I can’t wait to showcase what we can achieve when great food meets great football.”

Joo added: “Korean food is all about bringing people together – it’s comfort food that feels like a hug. The Riverside is an incredible setting for people to come together and share their passion for football and food. I’m excited to bring those bold Korean-American flavours I love to this amazing setting. Seoul Bird’s philosophy has always been about fun, vibrant food, and that energy feels perfect for matchday."

Murphy said: “I wanted to be a footballer as a kid and just as [Fulham FC manager] Marco Silva demands excellence from his players, I’ll be bringing that same dedication to every dish we serve. This is fine dining with genuine atmosphere.”

Elliot Machin, head of hospitality operations at Fulham FC, said: “These three exceptional chefs represent the calibre of talent we’re committed to attracting to the Riverside. Their combined expertise elevates our hospitality offering to world-class standards.”

The Riverside’s opening has allowed the club to quadruple the number of premium members and offer additional facilities such as the Thames Bar, the Dugout sports bar and the Brasserie Constance restaurant, overseen by chef Adam Byatt.

Its flagship features include the Sky Deck rooftop, which is spread across the top three floors of the development and offers panoramic views of the River Thames, as well as fine dining restaurant, the Gourmet.

The ground floor of the development includes the Riverside Market with stalls such as Tinie Tempah’s Raps, Goila Butter Chicken and Base Face Pizza.

In August 2022, Sodexo Live! secured an eleven-year contract with Fulham Football Club to oversee the launch of the Fulham Pier leisure development.