Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire appoints Talha Barkin executive chef

Talha Barkin has joined the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire as executive chef from the group’s Baku hotel in Azerbaijan, where he held the same position for the last five years.

He has replaced Paolo Belloni at the 134-bedroom property, who recently joined Shangri-La the Shard, London, as executive chef.

Prior to Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Barkin was executive chef at the Fairmont Baku Flame Towers. Other positions included working for Hilton as executive chef at its resorts in Chongqing, Jakarta and the Maldives; chef de cuisine at Shangri-La hotels in Chiang Mai and Hangzhou; and junior sous chef at the Madinat Jumeriah Dubai. He grew up in Koycegiz, Turkey.

Barkin said: “My arrival at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire was very special. To see the magical manor house through the rolling Hampshire hills on the first approach to the property was something quite spectacular. I look forward to my new role in the Wild Carrot kitchen and I am excited to be leading the culinary team, bringing my expertise and knowledge to this beautiful property.”

His menu will be served at Wild Carrot restaurant and on the Wild Carrot terrace.