Chris Staines joins Feversham Arms in Yorkshire

Former Michelin-starred chef Chris Staines has joined the Feversham Arms hotel in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, as food and beverage director.

Staines, who was previously head chef at Foliage at London's five-star Mandarin Oriental hotel, will oversee all food and beverage operations at the 33-bedroom hotel including its flagship restaurant, lounge, spa restaurant and room service.

He joins the property from Heckfield Place in Hampshire, where he was executive chef and director of food and beverage. Heckfield Place is currently closed for a major refurbishment which is due to be completed in 2012.

At the Feversham Arms hotel Staines will work alongside head chef Simon Kelly to drive the restaurant forward and "get it the recognition it deserves," according to managing director Simon Rhatigan.

"The new suites and spa have been our focus since their launch in 2008 but the restaurant has always been at the heart of the Feversham," Rhatigan said. "Now that the hotel is complete we will it is the right time to celebrate the entire restaurant experience."

Staines added that he was excited to join the hotel and return to his native Yorkshire, adding "the focus is on achieving new accolades".

"Our team here is very passionate about local produce which features heavily in our new dishes and menu concepts which Simon Kelly and I are introducing this autumn," he said.

Staines held a Michelin star at Foliage for seven years, leaving the Mandarin Oriental last year following the announcement that Heston Blumenthal was to take over the restaurant. He previously worked with Marco Pierre White at the three-Michelin-starred Oak Room.

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By Kerstin Kühn

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