Paul Foster steps down as head chef of Mallory Court
Paul Foster has resigned as head chef at the three-red-AA-star, 31-bedroom Mallory Court in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, "to pursue personal ambitions outside of the business".
He joined the hotel, which is owned by the eight-strong luxury Eden Hotel Collection, two years ago from Tuddenham Mill, near Newmarket, Suffolk, when he held his first head chef position for four years.
On joining Mallory Court in 2014, Foster said the hotel was the "perfect place" to grow as a chef and win back the Michelin star its restaurant had lost the previous year. Mallory Court currently has three AA rosettes, but no Michelin star.
Foster told The Caterer: "Mallory Court has been an amazing experience for me, but I feel the time is right for me to pursue my own restaurant. I know that that comes with risks, but I am determined to achieve my goals. I am sure that Mallory will appoint a great successor and will keep moving forward, especially with the addition of its new spa. I wish the team the very best of luck."
Foster is a former Acorn Award winner and was named Observer Food Monthly Young Chef of the Year 2011. Prior to joining Tuddenham Mill, his career included stints at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and Restaurant Sat Bains, and stages at WD50 in New York, the French Laundry in Napa Valley and Auberge de l'Ile in Lyon.
Mark Chambers, managing director of Eden Hotel Collection, said the hotel has undertaken a review of its food and beverage structure alongside the development of a £6m spa, which is the first full-scale spa to be undertaken by the group.
"We're now looking forward to developing a multi-faceted offering across the dining room, brasserie and our new Elan spa, which is due to open early 2017," said Chambers.
"This is an excellent opportunity for a talented and ambitious head chef to join the team and take Mallory Court to the next level, working alongside our highly respected food and beverage director Simon Haigh."
Chef Paul Foster to leave Tuddenham Mill for new role >>
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