Allan Pickett, head chef at Orrery, is to leave the London restaurant to join brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin as head chef at Galvin Bistrot de Luxe, Caterer can reveal.

Pickett, who joined the D&D London-owned Orrery in June 2006, will take up the position at the 90-seat Bistrot de Luxe on Baker Street in the summer. He will work alongside joint chef-proprietor Jeff Galvin and head chef Sian Rees.

Jeff Galvin said that Pickett's appointment comes in a bid to strengthen the team at Galvin Bistrot de Luxe and to build more depth to its culinary offer.

"Business has been great for us since we opened [in September 2005]. We have been incredibly busy, and it's now time that we strengthen and improve our offer," he told Caterer.

"Alan and I have known each other for a long time, and I very much look forward to working with him again."

Pickett's move marks the second time in less than a year that Orrery has lost its head chef to the Galvin brothers. Last May former head chef André Garrett left the Marylebone restaurant to take up the position of head chef at Galvin at Windows at the London Hilton Park Lane hotel.

By Kerstin Kühn

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