Daniel Clifford, chef-patron for the past four years of Midsummer House restaurant in Cambridge, has been promoted to the board of the company which owns the restaurant as creative director for the group.
Clifford, who has worked with such luminaries as David Cavalier, Marco Pierre White and Jean Bardet, won a Michelin star for the restaurant at the beginning of the year.
As creative director of the Crown Group, Clifford will be working to improve culinary standards across the catering companies in the group while remaining the day-to-day chef at Midsummer House.
"While still keeping myself active at Midsummer House, this opportunity will allow me to aid the growth of the Crown Group and bring the flair and attention that goes with a Michelin star-style restaurant into the group," said Clifford.
Terry Powell, managing director of Crown Venue Catering, who also oversees Midsummer House, said Clifford would be working closely with other chefs across the group to improve the style of presentation and develop more flair and range.
Group companies that Clifford will be working with include contract caterer Missing Ingredients; Crown Society, a special events outside caterer; Crown Venue Catering, which provides on-site catering for conferences and banqueting; and Chelsea Catering Company, which serves corporate markets in the City and West End of London.
He will also be working with Harlequin Patisseries 2002, which supplies Crown catering companies and external firms.
Clifford said trade had boomed at the restaurant since it won its Michelin star, and was now 50% busier than a year ago. The main boost has been to the lunchtime trade, which had been traditionally quiet while evenings were always busy.
by Angela Frewin