Simon Oakley joins Ham Yard hotel as executive head chef

Simon Oakley has joined Firmdale's Ham Yard hotel in London as executive head chef, replacing Nick Kimber.

Kimber has joined the Apartment Group in Newcastle as group executive chef.

Oakley was previously a freelance chef consultant, working on menu concepts and recipe development. His prior roles include group executive head chef across Mark Sargeant's group of restaurants and head chef at Hix Mayfair at Brown's hotel in London.

The appointment marks a return to Firmdale for Oakley, who also worked as a senior sous chef at the group's Covent Garden hotel for six years.

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