Shannon Johnson joins the Empress pub in east London

Former Hicce and Murano chef Shannon Johnson has been appointed head chef at the Empress pub in east London’s Victoria Park Village.

Johnson was previously head chef at Pip Lacey’s Hicce in Coal’s Drop Yard, and before that worked at Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred Murano in Mayfair for three years. She has replaced Matthew Pepperell, who left the Empress after three years.

She also competed in last year’s Great British Menu BBC competition.

Photo: BBC/Optomen Television/Ashleigh Brown