Giles Thompson quits as the Ritz's executive chef

Giles Thompson, executive chef of London's Ritz hotel and protégé of Michel Bourdin, resigned last week after five years in the role.

Thompson's resignation comes three months after Michel Bourdin, former executive chef of the Connaught hotel, began working with the hotel in a voluntary role.

But this week Bourdin said that he had been "too late" to help. "I was an intermediary between him (Thompson) and the management," he said.

Bourdin added that he had agreed to work for the hotel because he wanted to both help Thompson and preserve the traditions at the Ritz. Thompson previously worked with Bourdin at the Connaught.

Bourdin said that his decision as to whether he will continue in his advisory role with the Ritz will depend on who Thompson's replacement will be.

The Ritz issued a brief statement in which it said it regretted Thompson's decision and described him as loyal and hard-working.

"Throughout his time at the Ritz, Giles not only consolidated but advanced the status of the Ritz," it said.

Thompson was unavailable for comment.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 10-16 October 2002