Exclusive: Ruth Hansom joins Luton Hoo hotel

Ruth Hansom has joined the Luton Hoo hotel as head chef of the property's fine dining Wernher restaurant, The Caterer can exclusively reveal.

The Caterer reported in April that Hansom was launching her British restaurant concept Epoch in August this year with business partner Emily Lambert after winning investment from restaurateur Atul Kochhar on BBC Two's Million Pound Menu. The concept is understood to be still under development.

Kochhar said: "It's a great move for chef Ruth Hansom and I'm so proud of her. This will enable her to get some more experience under her belt, before we embark on our journey together for Epoch. I'm really excited to see her develop at Wernher, and wish her the best of luck!"

As head chef of the 80-cover, two-AA-rosette British restaurant, she will oversee a team of eight chefs and is recruiting for a demi chef de partie position. She is developing the menu, which will continue to focus on British produce, while Lambert is believed to be undergoing stages with Rocco Forte Hotels.

Hansom was the first ever female winner of Young National Chef of the Year and was formerly a demi chef de partie at the Michelin-starred Ritz London.

The Wernher restaurant at the five-AA-star Bedfordshire property is named after Sir Julius Wernher, who bought Luton Hoo in 1903 and transformed the property into a luxury country house. Christopher Mouyiassi was appointed executive head chef at the hotel earlier this year.

The property is owned by the Elite Hotels group, which also owns Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex, the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne and Tylney Hall in Hampshire.

Million Pound Menu: Five things we learnt about Ruth Hansom and Emily Lambert's restaurant Epoch >>

Ruth Hansom to open her own restaurant this year >>

Get The Caterer every week on your smartphone, tablet, or even in good old-fashioned hard copy (or all three!).