Ruth Hansom leaves Luton Hoo to take head chef position at Notting Hill's Pomona's

Ruth Hansom has left Luton Hoo hotel to take over the kitchen at Pomona's in Notting Hill, London, as head chef, where she plans to introduce high-end sharing menus.

Hansom, the first and only female winner of Young National Chef of the Year in 2016, told The Caterer she was "super excited" to return to the capital and bring a casual high-end offering to the area.

The new sharing menu will launch on 1 May, divided into sections titled "from the land", "from the sea" and "from the earth", with a focus on produce. An evening tasting menu will also be launched alongside.

Dishes will include spouting broccoli, Romanesco, cashew satay (pictured); Wye Valley green and white asparagus, Berkswell cheese, pine nut truffle and lemon dressing; as well as roasted cauliflower, date, toasted yeast, pickled shallot and tarragon.

Hansom had joined Luton Hoo hotel in Bedfordshire in June 2018, taking the position of head chef of the property's fine-dining Wernher restaurant. She had formerly been a demi chef de partie at the Michelin-starred Ritz London.

Last year she came to public attention after winning support from restaurateur Atul Kochhar for her British restaurant concept Epoch during an appearance on BBC Two's Million Pound Menu. Hansom had appeared alongside business partner and sommelier Emily Lambert.

The Caterer understands that Lambert is currently working to promote English wine.

The executive chef position at Pomona's was previously held by wild food expert Mark Lloyd, whose appointment had been announced in September 2018.

Exclusive: Ruth Hansom joins Luton Hoo hotel>>