Angela Hartnett
While The Connaught is in the throes of a major renovation to bring it a little more into the 21st century (reopening is set for 14th December), it now comes to light that Angela Hartnett’s MENU restaurant will not be returning. The unconfirmed rumour is that a major French chef will be coming over to London to oversee a new restaurant for this venerable hotel. In the meantime, a spokesperson for Hartnett says she will be opening a new venture later this year under the Gordon Ramsay umbrella. Those missing Hartnett’s food can always attempt to cook it themselves with the help of her latest book, Angela Hartnett’s Cucina: Three Generations of Italian Family Cooking.
Chef Henry Harris, co-owner of Racine, has sold his share of the Knightsbridge bistro to his front-of-the-house partner, Eric Garnier, and has joined the expanding Soho House Group (Soho House, The Electric, High Road Brasserie, etc.) as chef director. In early 2008, the group will open Soho B&B (Bed and Brasserie), and Harris will plan the food-and-drink operation.
St. Alban’s chef, Francesco Mazzei, has left to open his own restaurant, which should debut in the beginning of next year. Former sous-chef Dale Osborne, who has been there from day one, now has the top spot.
– Susan Kessler