Great Fosters hotel appoints Tony Parkin as head chef of one-Michelin-starred Tudor Room

Michelin-starred restaurant the Tudor Room, part of the Great Fosters hotel in Egham, Surrey, has appointed Tony Parkin as head chef to replace Douglas Balish.

Parkin joins the brigade after having served three-and-a-half years in the same role at Graham Garett's restaurant with rooms The West House in Ashford. His CV also includes serving as private chef for Lord and lady Bamford; and cooking at the only two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen at the time, Kommendaten.

He replaces Bailish, who has been named as the new executive chef for the Grove of Narberth in Pembrokeshire. The chef, who gained the Tudor Room its star in 2016, will begin his new role in May.

Parkin said: "I am really looking forward to starting my new role at The Tudor Room. Douglas has done an absolutely amazing job and I'm hoping to continue the success of restaurant, as well as putting my own stamp on the offering. The opportunity to work at this award-winning restaurant is one I couldn't pass up to really showcase what I can do and serve food that excites people."

"I have been very lucky in my career, working for some incredible people and cooking in some phenomenal places. This next step is one I am really excited by and I've already started to pull the menu together."

Parkin joins the luxury four-star hotel's restaurant from 15 April, with a new menu set to be available from the 26 April.

Peter Hinchcliffe, co-owner of Great Fosters, added: "We are delighted to welcome Tony to the Alexander family. We have been a fan of his work for a while, so to have him cooking in The Tudor Room is fantastic.

"We're really proud of the award-winning restaurant and we're confident that Tony will continue this success, putting the restaurant on the map, as a dining destination, not only for hotel guests, but for people wanting to experience the exquisite menu in an intimate setting."