Naz Hassan named as Pidgin's new head chef

Hackney neighbourhood restaurant Pidgin has announced Naz Hassan as its new head chef.

He has taken over from former head chef, Drew Snaith, who joined in 2021.

Bangladesh-born Hassan has 15 years’ worth of experience working at London restaurants including BiBi in Mayfair, the Cut at 45 Park Lane, and Crispin in Spitalfields.

Under his leadership at Pidgin, the 28-cover restaurant will offer refined, contemporary European cooking with east and south Asian accents.

Dishes will include brown shrimp kakiage with chive mayo; asparagus, apricot and lardo; mamb belly birria taco; and, peach and lemon verbena mille-feuille.

Hassan said: “I've always thought of Pidgin as one of east London's culinary institutions, so I'm beyond thrilled to be joining the excellent team as head chef. I want to bring the energy, flavours and excitement to my dishes that made me fall in love with London – nothing gimmicky or for show; just delicious, well-cooked food, presented simply and elegantly.”

Restaurateurs James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy opened Pidgin in 2015 and it quickly became renowned for its innovative, weekly-changing tasting menus, with no dish being repeated in the eight years since opening.