Colchester’s new centre for the visual arts, Firstsite, has appointed former Essex Chef of the Year Paul Boorman as executive head chef of its bar and restaurant. Boorman, who specialises in modern British cuisine, has more than 20 years’ experience and has won numerous awards including Essex Chef of the Year 2009 and is a member of the Masterchefs of Great Britain. His remit is to make the restaurant a destination in its own right.