Joel Kissin's Boulestin hires ex-Colbert chef Andrew Woodford
Joel Kissin's (pictured) soon-to-open Mayfair restaurant, Boulestin, has appointed Andrew Woodford as its head chef.
Woodford was most recently head chef at Colbert in Sloane Square, which he helped to launch.
He has previously worked as executive sous chef at the Wolseley, Brasserie Zédel and the Delaunay, all of which are part of Chris Corbin and Jeremy King's Rex Restaurants group, along with Colbert.
Prior to his spell with Rex Restaurants, Woodford worked for the Monkey Bar in New York, the Arts Club in Piccadilly, Rules and Scott's.
Boulestin, in London's St James's is inspired by the restaurateur Marcel Boulestin who opened his eponymous restaurant in 1927 in Covent Garden. It closed after 68 years in 1994 when it became a Pizza Express.
The new Boulestin will comprise a luxury 60-seat bistro, a private dining room, seating up to 38 and Café Marcel, a 30-seat brasserie.
The menu will offer classic French cuisine, with signature dishes such as oeuf en gelée (poached eggs in jellied consommé) to start, as well as main dishes such as poulet sauté au vinaigre and sole Dugléré. Boulestin will be a combination of both classic French brasserie and bistro style dining, opening in September.
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