News reaches Hot Dinners today of two rather interesting appointments in the restaurant world.
The first is finding out who the Head Chef will be in the Asian Room at upcoming Mayfair spot Novikov. That position has been filled by Jeff Tyler, who comes to London via the Mandarin Oriental in Marrakech. His credentials sound pretty impressive, having spent the early part of his career learning on the job in Tokyo. We were taken with the fact that he spent a month at the Shizouka tuna markets, mastering the art of whole tuna cutting.
You'll get a chance to try Tyler's food in November when Novikov opens on Berkeley Street.
Equally interesting is the news that Alan Stewart, former head chef of Launceston Place, has moved a hop, skip and a jump away to head up the kitchens at Fulham Road restaurant Manson. Stewart, who also counts Bruce Poole of Chez Bruce as a mentor, will be serving up menus with a clear 'field to fork philosophy' using produce from Manson's own allotments, as well as bringing in foragers for other key British ingredients. As for front of house staff, Stewart is keeping it in the family by bringing sister Laurie over from La Trompette to be Manson's restaurant manager.
We've had a look at Stewart's menus and like the sound of both Cumbrian suckling pig with glazed apple and cobnuts and the damson parfait with candied rose petals, blackcurrants and brown bread crunch. The set lunch menu on from Monday through to Saturday sounds like cracking good value at £13.50 for two courses and £17.50 for three.
