French chef Jérôme Ponchelle is to join the two-Michelin-starred restaurant at the Capital hotel in London as head chef.
The move sees Ponchelle depart from his position of chef de cuisine at British restaurant Wiltons after seven years to step into the foot steps of Eric Chavot, who left the Capital in August.
He will be replaced at Wiltons by Andrew Turner, currently head chef at the Landau restaurant at London’s Langham hotel.
Ponchelle will join the Knightsbridge-based Capital next month and brings with him 20 years of experience working in restaurants in France and England including a number of years cooking under Michel Bourdin at the Connaught.
“I plan to respect the Capital’s ethos of the finest in classical cooking,” Ponchelle said.
His menu will have a French influence and will include signature dishes including lobster, crab and truffle omelette; and braised filet of wild Scottish turbot with Champagne sauce; next to British classics such as braised oxtail.
David Levin, chairman of the Capital Group, said he was delighted with Ponchelle’s appointment.
“Having nurtured the talent of many incredible chefs in my kitchens over the last 40 years, I would like to think that the Capital will prove to be the perfect platform for Jerome to shine,” he said.
James Grant, general manager at Wiltons, told Caterersearch he was sorry to see Jerome leave.
“I have worked with Jerome for more than five years and it’s been great,” he said.
“His departure came as a bit of a surprise to us but we wish him all the best.
“We’re very excited about Andrew Turner joining us.”
Andrew Turner to join London restaurant Wiltons >>
Michelin-starred Eric Chavot to leave The Capital >>
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By Kerstin Kühn
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