Alyn Williams named executive chef at Park Row

Alyn Williams has joined DC Comics-themed restaurant Park Row in London as executive chef.

He will oversee the food at the “immersive” Soho experience, which features bars and restaurants inspired by the publisher behind the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman comics.

Williams, who won National Chef of the Year in 2012, will launch a new menu at Park Row from October, with dishes set to include rabbit, smoked chicken terrine, tarragon and confit rabbit samosa; and Cornish stone bass, crispy caviar and chive butter.

It is the first major appointment for the chef since he won £57,000 in damages for unfair dismissal from his role at the Westbury hotel in Mayfair in 2019.

Williams opened Alyn Williams at the Westbury in 2011 and the restaurant held a Michelin star for eight years but lost the award following his sudden departure.

James Bulmer, chief executive of Park Row’s owner Wonderland Restaurants, said: “Alyn is one of our country’s greatest chefs with a huge pedigree. He is a massive coup for us here at the Academy of Curiosity & Wonderment and a super talented, lovely and genuine person, a chef who focuses heavily on training and inspiring the future stars of tomorrow.

“His plates display his own unique culinary personality and by merging this with our creative cuisine of theatrical gastromony, I cannot wait to share our new menu with our guests.”

Williams added: “I’m super excited to be joining James and the creative team at Park Row. Creating a menu to fit alongside the stories of DC Comics has been a fun challenge that I’m sure will entice both foodies and fans alike.

"Putting the subtle theme to one side, Park Row is very serious about its food and owners Wonderland Restaurants have some incredible projects in the pipeline that I can’t wait to be a part of.”

Williams will work alongside Karl O’Dell, executive chef of the Monarch Theatre, a 20-seat immersive dining experience set within Park Row.

Park Row opened on Soho's Brewer Street in 2021 in the site previously occupied by Marco Pierre White's Titanic restaurant. It is a partnership between Wonderland Restaurants, entertainment company Warner Bros and DC.