Shay Cooper joins the Lanesborough as executive chef

Shay Cooper has joined the five-red-AA-starred Lanesborough hotel in London as executive chef, having spent the last two years as chef-patron of Julie’s in Holland Park.

Before Julie's, he was executive chef at the Goring in Belgravia for six years, during which time the hotel’s dining room won a Michelin star. He replaces Steeven Gilles who has moved to Bahrain and is now executive chef at Al Amriya Hospitality Co.

Stuart Geddes, manager of the Lanesborough, said: “We are delighted to welcome Shay to the team at the Lanesborough, where he will help to reinforce our culinary direction across the entire hotel operation.

"Shay joins a very united and strong kitchen brigade, and he will focus on bringing in innovation to enhance the culinary excellence that the Lanesborough has been globally renowned for since its opening in 1991.”

The 93-bedroom luxury hotel in Knightsbridge is part of the Oetker Collection. Managing director Marco Novella left the property last month to take up the same role at Belmond's Cipriani hotel in Venice. It is understood that a replacement is yet to be appointed.